By Catherine Watson
A WARM welcome awaits those who will use Bass Coast’s winter shelter for homeless people but they’ll have to be patient a while longer as the opening has been deferred for a couple of weeks.
Run by the Interchurch Council of Phillip Island, the shelter will offer up to three nights of dormitory-style accommodation each week in Cowes church buildings, along with a hot meal and connection to support services.
It was to have opened last week for the start of winter but the opening has had to be put back as the group runs through a permit process to reflect the changed purpose of the church buildings and the need to open them at night.
A WARM welcome awaits those who will use Bass Coast’s winter shelter for homeless people but they’ll have to be patient a while longer as the opening has been deferred for a couple of weeks.
Run by the Interchurch Council of Phillip Island, the shelter will offer up to three nights of dormitory-style accommodation each week in Cowes church buildings, along with a hot meal and connection to support services.
It was to have opened last week for the start of winter but the opening has had to be put back as the group runs through a permit process to reflect the changed purpose of the church buildings and the need to open them at night.
Co-ordinator Wendy Elson, who is minister of the Cowes Uniting Church, hastens to add the Bass Coast Shire Council has been very supportive throughout the process.
“Everything has to be done right and I get that,” Wendy said. “It’s important that we do it well and safely.
“We hope we’ll be able to operate for July and August. Once we’ve got it underway for this year we’ll be well set up for next year.”
It’s not just homeless people waiting for the shelter to open but also a team of volunteers keen to help.
Over 40 locals have completed a training course to help staff the shelter and there is a waiting list of people who will be trained once the shelter opens.
Apart from the 40 volunteers who have already trained, they have also received generous donations from businesses, organisation and people.
Wendy said it was difficult to predict the demand for the shelter. “We already have a relationship with several people who need help and we know of several car parks around the island where people are sleeping in cars. Once we’re set up we’ll be able to reach out to these people.”
The group is hoping to rent a shower trailer and looking at options to enable people to do their laundry.
You can donate to the Bass Coast Winter Shelter at Go Fund Me.
“Everything has to be done right and I get that,” Wendy said. “It’s important that we do it well and safely.
“We hope we’ll be able to operate for July and August. Once we’ve got it underway for this year we’ll be well set up for next year.”
It’s not just homeless people waiting for the shelter to open but also a team of volunteers keen to help.
Over 40 locals have completed a training course to help staff the shelter and there is a waiting list of people who will be trained once the shelter opens.
Apart from the 40 volunteers who have already trained, they have also received generous donations from businesses, organisation and people.
Wendy said it was difficult to predict the demand for the shelter. “We already have a relationship with several people who need help and we know of several car parks around the island where people are sleeping in cars. Once we’re set up we’ll be able to reach out to these people.”
The group is hoping to rent a shower trailer and looking at options to enable people to do their laundry.
You can donate to the Bass Coast Winter Shelter at Go Fund Me.