The Winter Shelter team: Paul Milkins (Salvation Army), Nick Grant-Collins (Bass Coast Shire Council) Liz Jacobs (committee member and Housing Matters Bass Coast) David Rooks (committee chair), Linda Livett (project co-ordinator), Wendy Elson (former co-ordinator) Albert Depares and Josie Kent (committee members and volunteers), Lynore Mercer (committee member)
By Catherine Watson
WITH less than two weeks until winter, the team behind Bass Coast’s winter shelter is working through the final checklist:
The shelter opens on June 3 and will provide overnight crisis accommodation three nights a week throughout June, July and August.
WITH less than two weeks until winter, the team behind Bass Coast’s winter shelter is working through the final checklist:
- Co-ordinator appointed? Done.
- Bedding checked? Done.
- Volunteers? Yes, though more are welcome.
- Donations? Definitely.
The shelter opens on June 3 and will provide overnight crisis accommodation three nights a week throughout June, July and August.
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Based in a church in Cowes, it offers homeless people a hot evening meal, dormitory-style accommodation, showers and laundry facilities.
The community-led initiative, co-ordinated by the Interchurch Council of Phillip Island, relies entirely on local volunteers, businesses and community groups. It is also backed by the council. Project co-ordinator Linda Livett said it was about more than a bed for the night. |
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“It will be a place of welcome and care,” she said. “We hope to build relationships with guests and support those who want encouragement towards a more stable living situation.”
Committee member Liz Jacobs said homelessness in Bass Coast was higher than many people realised.
“Rentals are unaffordable even if you have a job. Many people sleep rough,” she said. “The winter shelter is our small contribution to helping those in need of a safe, warm bed for a few nights a week.”
Committee member Liz Jacobs said homelessness in Bass Coast was higher than many people realised.
“Rentals are unaffordable even if you have a job. Many people sleep rough,” she said. “The winter shelter is our small contribution to helping those in need of a safe, warm bed for a few nights a week.”
A warm welcome: Linda Livett, David Rooks and Liz Jacobs Committee chair David Rooks said the shelter received strong community support in its first year, with more than 30 volunteers helping out.
Each night requires 10 volunteers across three shifts and organisers hope to grow the volunteer pool to about 60 to spread the workload.
Last year the shelter also received $26,000 in donations. This year organisers are seeking a further $5000 to cover heating, bedding, food and volunteer expenses and the partnership with Stable One.
Volunteer Albert Depares, who worked the evening shift last year, said simple human contact was just as important as the practical support.
“We had dinner together with the guests. We discussed the footy, things the guests wanted to talk about,” he said.
All guests are assessed beforehand by the Salvation Army to ensure the safety of other guests and volunteers.
On a typical night, guests are picked up from the Cowes transit centre and driven to the shelter, where volunteers prepare dinner and help guests settle in.
Guests can shower, set up their beds, help with cooking or simply relax. After dinner there may be conversation, games or music — if guests feel like joining in.
In the morning, volunteers and guests share breakfast before packing up for the day.
Volunteers are trained to recognise when guests want company and when they simply need space and rest.
“Sometimes they’re just exhausted and they want to be left alone, and that’s okay too,” Albert said.
Paul Milkins, from the Salvation Army in Leongatha, said while more social and affordable housing was urgently needed, the winter shelter filled an important gap.
“Rather than feel there’s an unsolvable problem, Bass Coast has all these different groups working together,” he said.
Currently the Cowes winter shelter is the only one operating in Gippsland, serving people from Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Baw Baw shires.
For now, organisers simply want people to know that when times are tough the shelter is there.
Winter is coming, the doors will soon open, and help is available.
Each night requires 10 volunteers across three shifts and organisers hope to grow the volunteer pool to about 60 to spread the workload.
Last year the shelter also received $26,000 in donations. This year organisers are seeking a further $5000 to cover heating, bedding, food and volunteer expenses and the partnership with Stable One.
Volunteer Albert Depares, who worked the evening shift last year, said simple human contact was just as important as the practical support.
“We had dinner together with the guests. We discussed the footy, things the guests wanted to talk about,” he said.
All guests are assessed beforehand by the Salvation Army to ensure the safety of other guests and volunteers.
On a typical night, guests are picked up from the Cowes transit centre and driven to the shelter, where volunteers prepare dinner and help guests settle in.
Guests can shower, set up their beds, help with cooking or simply relax. After dinner there may be conversation, games or music — if guests feel like joining in.
In the morning, volunteers and guests share breakfast before packing up for the day.
Volunteers are trained to recognise when guests want company and when they simply need space and rest.
“Sometimes they’re just exhausted and they want to be left alone, and that’s okay too,” Albert said.
Paul Milkins, from the Salvation Army in Leongatha, said while more social and affordable housing was urgently needed, the winter shelter filled an important gap.
“Rather than feel there’s an unsolvable problem, Bass Coast has all these different groups working together,” he said.
Currently the Cowes winter shelter is the only one operating in Gippsland, serving people from Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Baw Baw shires.
For now, organisers simply want people to know that when times are tough the shelter is there.
Winter is coming, the doors will soon open, and help is available.