Winter Provision
Winter Shelter
Catching Lives is coordinating the Canterbury Community Shelter for winter 2024-25, in partnership with Canterbury Cathedral, St Paul's, Canterbury Baptist Church, St Peter's Methodist, St Dunstan's, St Thomas of Canterbury, St Mary Bredin and Canterbury Umbrella. The shelter is open until mid-March. Access is only via the day centre morning drop-in.
Thank you to everyone supporting us with venues, volunteering and donations so that we can provide warmth and shelter this winter.
How you can help
Volunteering
Each year we rely on volunteers to deliver extended winter services - for more information about winter shelter roles, as well as year-round opportunities, please see our Volunteering page.
Fundraising
Your donations help us to extend our services over the winter. Please donate to our Winter Appeal which supports the Canterbury Community Shelter and our day centre services. Or visit Catching Lives on JustGiving to set up a monthly donation.
Extended Winter Provision
Access
People can attend our day centre for support and a safe space off the streets during the day, 9am-2pm. We will help to refer on to housing providers. During Canterbury Community Shelter 16 Dec - 16 March, people must come to our day centre to be assessed for an emergency space, usually before 12pm. There is no direct access in the evening.
Working with partners
We work closely with partner agencies throughout the year but especially in winter. This includes Canterbury City Council's rough sleeping and housing teams, both to move people on from the Shelter and to advocate for people who are not able to access the Shelter and will need alternative offer of housing to leave the streets.
Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP)
During freezing weather when the Shelter isn't open (or for people who can't stay in the Shelter when it is open), we refer people sleeping rough to the council’s Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP). For anyone still on the streets, we try to provide warm clothing, sleeping bags and tents if we have them.