Covid 19 - An update on what’s been happening

As a community, we are facing what is arguably one of the toughest times in recent history.

Covid-19 has already upended our society in ways that would have seemed unimaginable just a few months ago. And we are all uncertain when this will end.

As you can imagine, people who were already experiencing chronic homelessness and disadvantage are especially vulnerable at this terrible time. This is compounded by the fact that, sadly, many community organisations and services have had to close their doors or greatly reduce their services, for the foreseeable future.

Right now - and for as long as possible- the doors of St Mary’s House of Welcome remain open to anyone who is sleeping rough or is chronically homeless.

Of course, we have had to change the way we do things. For the time being, to be ‘social distancing’ complaint, we have suspended our social programs, organised activities and outings.

We have also asked our amazing team of volunteer to take a well-earned break. (They deserve it!)

Our incredible, dedicated staff team are still working hard to ensure we can continue to provide emergency food packs, relief hampers, toiletries, clean underwear and showers to the men and women living on the streets who rely on us for help.

For now, our opening hours are reduced from 9.30am till 1.30pm, Monday to Friday. Each day, we are providing up to 100 substantial take-away ‘brown paper bag lunch packs’ to rough sleepers who visit our service. We are providing showers, fresh underwear, hygiene packs, information and resources. We are also providing outreach supports to people via telephone and email when possible.

As always, the health and welfare of everyone in our little community is our very highest priority. We are strictly enforcing hand hygiene and social distancing, and asking that anyone who doesn’t need to visit our centre stays away.

Obviously, the situation keeps changing but, here at St Mary’s House of Welcome, we pledge to continue to provide support to our most vulnerable community members for as long as we are able, in whatever way we can. We will keep you up to date with any changes as they happen.

In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has reached out with messages of support and offers of donations and other assistance. We can’t tell you how much you are appreciated, and how much your kindness and compassion bolsters the spirits of both our frontline support workers and the people they serve.

For those of you who would like to help support people sleeping rough and the vital, frontline work of St Mary‘s House of Work at this terrible time, please donate now

Every gift - no matter how small - will help us keep the doors open and services going for as long as possible.

Thank you for your care, compassion and support through this difficult time.

Stay safe, stay home And wash your hands!

From your friends at St Mary’s House of Welcome.