Warm spaces opened in Sheerness over winter

A charity on the Isle of Sheppey is offering people free food and drinks, company, and the opportunity to stay warm this winter.

The Warm Winter Welcome sessions at The Salvation Army Hall on Sheerness High Street are back for a third year to help those struggling with the cost of living and loneliness.

Held every Wednesday between 09:00 and 14:00 GMT, staff and volunteers are on hand to provide warm beverages, soup and advice on benefits.

Major Lynne Clifton, who began the service in 2022 when fuel bills were rising, said it was held "so we can make sure our residents who are struggling have the best opportunity to be cared for".

Around 45 people from the Isle of Sheppey drop in each week, including Mark Dixon who served in the army before moving to the area 17 years ago.

“I come to the centre to relax, have a coffee with friends and basically find out what’s going on that day," he said. "It’s a social thing and you don’t have to put the heating on.”

Another attendee is Dave who was homeless until he walked into a session two years ago. Since then he has been helped to find accommodation and now volunteers at sessions by giving advice to those living on the streets.

"I was living on the seafront and so cold at the time I don't even remember the first time I came here," he said.

"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.

"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, is a first point of contact to help with benefits and housing issues.

“I’ll make sure they’re welcome to sit down," he said. "We have a chat. We go over their problems, we try and break it down and see what support they need.

"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.”

The Winter Warm Welcome sessions can also act as a community hub to combat loneliness.

Olive Long has been a Salvation Army member in Sheerness for over half a century, and after losing her husband she says going along keeps her in touch with friends.

“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," she said.

"This just gives them a break from that loneliness and it’s just lovely to be here with so many people together.”

The sessions are scheduled to run every week until the end of March. Warm Winter Welcome sessions are also held on Sundays at Leysdown Village Hall.

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