Sheerness Charity Provides Winter Warmth and Support

A charitable organization situated on the Isle of Sheppey is providing individuals with complimentary food and beverages, social interaction, and a warm environment throughout the winter season. Now in their third year, the Warm Winter Welcome sessions at The Salvation Army Hall, located on Sheerness High Street, have resumed to assist individuals facing challenges related to the cost of living and social isolation. These sessions take place weekly on Wednesdays from 09:00 to 14:00 GMT, where staff members and volunteers offer hot drinks, soup, and guidance regarding benefits. Major Lynne Clifton, who initiated this service in 2022 amidst increasing fuel costs, stated that its purpose is “so we can make sure our residents who are struggling have the best opportunity to be cared for”. Approximately 45 individuals from the Isle of Sheppey attend weekly, among them Mark Dixon, who served in the army prior to relocating to the area 17 years ago. He remarked, “I come to the centre to relax, have a coffee with friends and basically find out what’s going on that day. It’s a social thing and you don’t have to put the heating on.” Dave, another participant, experienced homelessness until he attended a session two years ago. Since that time, he has received assistance in securing accommodation and now volunteers at the sessions, offering guidance to individuals experiencing homelessness. He recounted, “I was living on the seafront and so cold at the time I don’t even remember the first time I came here. The ice and wind are horrible but it’s worse when you are also soaking wet, the gales cut through you like a knife if you are in damp clothing.” Dave added, “The Salvation Army supported me during this really difficult period in my life. I’d lost my job, family and home and now I’m getting back on my feet I want to help others.” Charlie Buckingham, a community support worker for The Salvation Army, serves as an initial point of contact for assistance with benefits and housing concerns. He explained, “I’ll make sure they’re welcome to sit down. We have a chat. We go over their problems, we try and break it down and see what support they need.” Buckingham continued, “They’re a lot of people who come to us with a whole bunch of problems that they’re struggling with and we try to lighten their load.” Furthermore, the Winter Warm Welcome sessions function as a community hub, addressing issues of loneliness. Olive Long, a Salvation Army member in Sheerness for more than 50 years, shared that attending these gatherings helps her maintain connections with friends following the loss of her husband. She stated, “I have been on my own some years now and it is a very, very lonely place at home and I’m sure that’s the case for many of the people of my age who come in here. This just gives them a break from that loneliness and it’s just lovely to be here with so many people together.” These sessions are scheduled to continue weekly until the conclusion of March. Additionally, Warm Winter Welcome sessions are conducted on Sundays at Leysdown Village Hall.