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Christmas Roof
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| West London Initiative on Single
Homelessness |
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WISH's main activity in the past has been the Christmas Roof. Over the
years, with the help of other local organisations and nearly 500 volunteers
WISH has set up shelters (“ROOFs”) in North Acton, Park Royal, Ealing,
Wembley and Brentford. The main aim of the WISH Christmas ROOF is to provide
homeless people with safe, warm accommodation, effective services and companionship
over Christmas and the New Year.
Planning
The Roofs take many months of planning, a network of volunteers set up
fundraising
events;
recruit volunteers to help before, during and after
Christmas; seek donations from corporate sponsors and individuals and inform
local organisations working with homeless people about the service. These
have to be coordinated to ensure that we have everything we need by December.
In the past we have been grateful to recieve:
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A building in which to work. Previously we have
used, disused warehouses, church halls and even an old police station.
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Transportation - vans, trucks, minibuses and cars
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Portable shower units
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Kitchen equipment
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Medical and Dental equipment
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Carpet
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Food
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Clothing
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Books and games
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We have even had a banner sign donated, welcoming visitors to the ROOF.
Setting up
| Finally, carpet is laid throughout the main
area and often with only a few hours to spare decorations are hung and
the trees dressed to turn it into a more welcoming place to be.
The Roofs usually open at lunchtime on the 23rd of December, by which
time a queue has formed outside the gates. Our guests are welcomed into
what will be their home for the next week or so by volunteers and a hot
meal is served straight away. |
©Jim Four |
There is no one type of person who visits our ROOF. Their ages' range from
17 to 70 and the reason a person has become homeless is equally variable.
Many have lost a job through illness or have left home to escape abuse.
What they do have in common is a tough life on the streets where they have
to concentrate on just surviving. They tend to die younger than the housed
population and their death is more often a violent one. Most days are spent
without normal human contact, and access to services that we take for granted,
such as doctors, are more difficult.
Daily Routine
Guests and volunteers settle quickly into a relaxed routine. Typically
during each day, the lights go on at 07:30 and the building starts to come
to life as the first cups of tea of the day are served. By 08:30 a full
cooked breakfast is being enjoyed and the showers become increasingly busy.
By mid morning guests and volunteers are enjoying reading newspapers; playing
cards and other games; watching TV (there are several TV sets so that guests
can choose which channel they what to watch). Small groups form as old
friends meet up and the air becomes full with the sound of people talking.
Some work enthusiastically with community artists and add to the decorations
with some inventive art and craft pieces.
| For those who wish, there are a variety of on-demand services: |
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A clothing store, with racks of clothing to choose from and a repairs /alterations
service were necessary.
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Haircutting, after which guests are not only transformed physically but
often become more confident and relaxed.
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As well as 24 hour first-aid, guests can obtain treatment and advice during
one of the regular doctor's surgeries.
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Other healthcare services include regular dental surgeries and chiropody.
We have also provided an optician service with free prescription glasses.
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Housing and benefits advice are available every day after which some guests
leave the Roof to go to more permanent accomodation.
Thoroughout the morning volunteers work hard in the kitchen, under the
direction of the chef, preparing lunch. At 1o'clock this is brought into
the main area where a queue has formed in anticipation. Guests come and
go as they please, new arrivals turn up constantly and are welcomed at
the gate by a small group of volunteers. When people come to the ROOF they
usually have to bring all their own belongings with them and we help by
storing it for them. |
©Jim Four |
Throught
the week, there is live entertainment, previously carol singers; a jazz
band; an R&B band; a brass band; a gospel choir and solo artists have
enhanced the festive atmosphere. Some performances take place in the afternoon
but livlier acts occur after supper at 6.30 p.m, which is the main meal
of the day . On Christmas day, supper is ealier as a full Christmas dinner
is served.
At around ten in the evening, beds are prepared by the volunteers and
guests settle down for the night, by 11:00 the main lights are turned out
and the hall quietens. For the night owls a "wide awake area" is provided,
where hot drinks, television and company are available until morning.
Behind the scenes
As the Roofs remain open 24 hours a day for the entire Christmas week,
volunteers work in three shifts to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Many are involved in the activites above but some work "behind the scenes"
e.g. in the office, where phones are constantly ringing, transport to pick
up futher supplies or deliver guests to hospital or accomodation is coordinated
and the answers to numerous and varied questions are sought. A good memory
is needed by the volunteers working in the stores, where all bits like
shoelaces, shoe polish, towels, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes,
combs, disposable razors, shaving foam, toilet rolls, carrier bags, rubbish
bags, plates, cups, etc. are found, as well as various equipment, most
of which has been donated or lent to WISH by the public for the benefit
of our guests. This all needs looking after so that it can be returned
in good condition to the owners. A team of carpenters, plumbers, electricians
and people with a combination of practical skills works before and during
the ROOF to keep the site running.
Last, but definitely not least, talking and listening to guests is one
of the most valuable things volunteers do. Many homeless people feel very
isolated, so the opportunity to sit and chat is invaluable.
