All welcome: Winter Shelter committee members, from left, Wendy Elson (Uniting Church ), Annie Taylor (Anglican Church), Liz Jacobs (Bass Coast Housing Matters), Alice Van Brussel (Baptist Church), and David Rooks (community) IT'S been a long time in the planning and a shelter for homeless people is finally going to open in Bass Coast.
The Interchurch Council of Phillip Island, including the Uniting, Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Surf Church and Equip Church, is pressing ahead with plans to offer a shelter this winter.
Project co-ordinator Wendy Elson, who is minister of the Cowes Uniting Church, said church buildings will be used to provide an evening meal, dormitory style accommodation and a safe place of care and connection.
They hope to offer up to three nights of accommodation, each week, in Cowes throughout June, July and August, but that will depend on getting community support.
The Interchurch Council of Phillip Island, including the Uniting, Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Surf Church and Equip Church, is pressing ahead with plans to offer a shelter this winter.
Project co-ordinator Wendy Elson, who is minister of the Cowes Uniting Church, said church buildings will be used to provide an evening meal, dormitory style accommodation and a safe place of care and connection.
They hope to offer up to three nights of accommodation, each week, in Cowes throughout June, July and August, but that will depend on getting community support.
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Guests from all over Bass Coast will be eligible to access the shelter. Transport will be developed to help them reach accommodation.
The Bass Coast Winter Shelter is modelled on one operated in the Yarra Valley since 2017 by a church group called Stable One. The group is now using its own experience to support other shelters to open across Australia. “Stable One’s winter shelter vision is more than a place to stay," Wendy said. “It will be a place of welcome and care and will build relationships with guests, allowing us to journey with those who want support and encouragement towards a more stable living situation.” |
Can you help? The Bass Coast Winter Shelter will rely on volunteers to work in a wide range of roles including drivers, cooking help, overnight roles and admin support. Training will be offered to volunteers. Organisers are also seeking donations to help fund the service. If you would like to volunteer or donate to Bass Coast Winter Shelter, contact Wendy Elson at [email protected]. |
The chair of the Winter Shelter Committee, David Rooks, says experience from other shelters across Victoria and Australia shows that there is no additional influx to the area of people experiencing homelessness.
“By replicating Stable One’s winter shelter model, that has been tried and tested, we will make a real-life difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in our area,”
evolved from homelessness forums run by Bass Coast Shire Council in 2023.
Assisting the churches to deliver the Winter Shelter are the Bass Coast Shire Council, Salvation Army Homelessness Services - Gippsland, Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) and Housing Matters Bass Coast (HMBC) which is auspiced by Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre (WNC).
“By replicating Stable One’s winter shelter model, that has been tried and tested, we will make a real-life difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in our area,”
evolved from homelessness forums run by Bass Coast Shire Council in 2023.
Assisting the churches to deliver the Winter Shelter are the Bass Coast Shire Council, Salvation Army Homelessness Services - Gippsland, Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) and Housing Matters Bass Coast (HMBC) which is auspiced by Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre (WNC).