Last One

Last Friday night before the shelter hands over to Carjng at Christmas. We feed 120 and have beds for just 18. Over Christmas the shelter opens for 10 days solid. There are TV's, table tennis, a hairdresser, a nurse and beds for 60. A very different environment staffed by Christmas only volunteers. 4 shifts of 30 a day. Quite an operation and never short of volunteers - there are queues of helpers on Christmas Day. (Where on earth do they go after Christmas?!)

Interestingly, the visitors I see through the year rarely come in at Christmas. They find it over whelming and rather sleep rough.

I spent the entire evening talking with a newcomer tonight, Paul. A lovely fellow, down on his luck. Now homeless. No drink or drug habits. Just bad luck and some depression. It's a fine line. Be grateful.

As always, I left him saying I hope not to see him again. Fingers crossed, I won't.