THURROCK Council staff are planning for the authority's annual Winter Shelter programme in the new year.

It will be taking place from 3 January to 27 March 2020 and aims to help those who are homeless in Thurrock. You can get involved by volunteering in a variety of roles for the shelter or by donating items to support them through the winter period.

The council is looking for volunteers to lead teams, support guests, cook and clean, and do a whole host of practical things, such as:

• being part of an evening cooking team

• cooking food at home to be delivered to the venue

• laundering bedding

• being with guests on various shifts throughout the day

• supporting in practical ways, such as by moving equipment from one venue to another

In order to volunteer you will be required to complete a short volunteer training session. This will take place on Saturday, 14 December at Grays Baptist Church from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Contact [email protected] for more details and to book your place.

In addition to volunteering you can also support those in the borough who are homeless by donating items that will help them through the winter. Items that you can donate include:

• new underwear/socks

• gloves/hats

• single duvets, pillows, single sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases and blankets

• biscuits

• tinned Rice and Tinned Fruit

• teabags, coffee or hot Chocolate

• sugar

• soap, shower gel, shaving foam, disposable razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary products

Donated items are accepted on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am and midday at Crown House (2nd floor) located in Crown Road, Grays, RM166JH.

Contact [email protected] for any queries about donating your items.

There are no there are no hostels in Thurrock that you can contact directly, but there are a number nearby. You can search for homelessness services on the Homeless Link website.

If you are homeless and need emergency shelter, you can try calling one of the following.

Shelter Phone number

Southend Emergency Night Shelter - 01702 602 913

HARP Southend - 01702 430 696

Catalyst Night Shelter, Havering - 07894 448 729 or 07527 192 161.

Chelmsford Chess - 01245 252 410

Colchester Night Shelter - 01206 549 885

Joes Community Trust, Kingston Upon Thames - 0208 255 7400

Basildon - 07357 622 117

Hope 4 Barking and Dagenham - 07527 192 161