About Sanctus:

Sanctus is a charity based in Chelmsford and the only day centre serving the homeless and vulnerable in a significant part of Essex. We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We have remained operational throughout the pandemic, and despite being a charity, we have been deemed an essential service. Our basic service is to provide daily food and drinks to those in need. We also distribute clothes, tents, sleeping bags, toiletries, and other essential items. In addition to this, we have a range of support services which are completed in our “Hub”, including, 1-2-1 mentoring, assistance with gaining housing and sustaining tenancies, benefits applications, medical signposting, furnishing homes, addiction and mental health support, health and wellbeing advice and support services, and a range of advice and advocacy services. All offered for free. Our service user base ranges from 200-250 people, all of which have varying complex needs. We work with some of the most marginalised people in our community who feel comfortable to come to us to ask for help, meaning we can make sure that they access the help they need. Our aim is to prevent homelessness by supporting individuals to take positive steps forward.

Sanctus in 2021:

In March 2020, the pandemic hit and we found ourselves supporting many vulnerable people who simply had nowhere to turn, sources of food had ceased, access to support had ended, many were isolated and unaware of what was happening. The impact of empty streets and closed shops greatly affected the mental health of these vulnerable individuals. Witnessing the struggles that our services users were enduring meant that closing down was never an option for Sanctus and our team worked tirelessly, forever adapting to changes, to keep our services going every day of the pandemic. We were the consistent in the chaos and because of that we were able to help many people.

This is a massive challenge for us but only by taking on the pandemic head on can we be part of the solutions that are so desperately needed. Thanks to supporters we have secured the lease and the refurbishment is underway and we are aiming to open to the public in June 2021, but there is still a lot to do to get us ready for this move.

Sanctus is an independently run charity that operates based on support from businesses, individuals, sponsored events, charitable trusts, successful bids and support from statutory bodies. Without donations, Sanctus would not be able to open and provide the services we do in the community to prevent people from being homeless.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanctusLoveAllServeAll

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sanctuscharity

Contact details:

Phone: 01245 257985