The Filling Station has re-started after being forced to close temporarily because of Covid. It has operated in Swindon every Thursday for over 20 years, and supports 50 homeless people, or those at risk of homelessness, each week.
During the height of the pandemic many homeless people were accommodated by the Council in hotels. A good number have been found more permanent accommodation, but the challenges still exist.
If a homeless person now has accommodation, where is the need?
Trustee Angus Macpherson explains: “It is really wonderful that some people have been found accommodation. The challenge now is for them maintain those tenancies. A home is a firm foundation, but that tenancy can be so easily lost if support from Drug, Alcohol & Mental Health agencies is not in place.”
Do you do all this on your own?
No—we can’t. The Filling Station works closely with two other registered charities in the town, Threshold Housing Link and Booth House (Salvation Army)
How does St John’s contribution help?
We all understand that the complex issues behind homelessness cannot be solved by food alone—but people still need to eat. Your tins of food are a lifeline for many of the people with whom the Filling Station is in contact. And although it has been wonderfully warm, winter is coming.
So how does it actually work?
We meet the homeless every Thursday evening where they receive food, bedding and clothing as needed, as well as the opportunity to speak with outreach workers from Threshold Housing with
a view to ensuring that those still on the street can access accommodation before the weekend.
What do you need from us?
We really need four types of food:
- Tins of beans or spaghetti
- Tins of meat or fish
- Tins of soup
- Tins of pudding – especially rice pudding