As some of you may know, I have been volunteering at my local soup kitchen; also known as the One Love Project for some time now, helping with a variety of tasks, such as helping prepare and serve hot meals to our guests, help provide a friendly, welcoming and safe space for them to eat, provide guests with clean clothes, and ensure they can access services such as mental health support, council/housing services and medical intervention. 

What the One Love Project do for the people in the Southend area is truly amazing... Previous donations has meant they have been able to purchase hot showers and cubicles,  a full kitchen to cook and prepare food for service,  they have been able to purchase an "outreach bus" which goes out to hotspots whereby we know people are sleeping rough, to provide them with essentials for the day/night. and without the help of donations and all the selfless volunteers the service wouldn't run as smoothly as it does. 

We are holding a Big Winter Sleep out on the 20th November at the base, whereby we are challenged to sleep rough (regardless of the weather or temperature) with the aim of raising as much money as possible to help those who face rough sleeping as a reality. Thermals at the ready!