All Night Cafe Shelter for the Homeless set to reopen on 28th February 2020

Due to an increase in the numbers of homeless people, New Beginnings Reading are planning to reopen its All Night Cafe shelter for the homeless on 28th March 2020 a month ahead of schedule. The service will be relaunching on Friday and Saturday nights and will offer a hot meal, clean clothing, a safe place to sleep and breakfast for Reading’s homeless.  The charity saw a sharp increase in the numbers of homeless people accessing the service at the end of last year. Up to 26 males and 3 females were accommodated in the evening in December 2019 up from 15 males and 3 females in December 2018.

We really want to add a Sunday night to our service from April and are currently recruiting volunteers who can help.  Volunteers are needed in 3 shifts from 7.15pm to 10.30pm, overnight from 10.30pm to 7.15am and a breakfast team from 7am to 9am at the Queens Arms alcohol free pub, Great Knollys Street, Reading.  Sometimes we really struggle to fill the overnight volunteer shift and are especially looking for people who can do the 10.30pm to 7.15am shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Please get in touch if you can help email volunteer@newbeginningsreading.org

Volunteering is really rewarding and all our guests really appreciate being safe, warm and dry in a lovining, caring environment. In the words of one guest, ‘It was a real God send and an oasis to me over the Christmas period.  I felt so well looked after and safe.’

No experience necessary, just a heart to help those who are homeless in Reading and to make a real difference in their lives.  Full training and an induction will be given to all volunteers.

Please get in touch if you can volunteer especially on a Sunday evening/morning.