Category Archives: Glass Door

Campaigns, Glass Door

Glass Door Annual Sleepout 2019

On Friday 4th October more than 320 individuals slept outside at Duke of York Square in Chelsea to raise funds to run the network of local emergency winter shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
They included Rev James Hutchings from St Mary’s, Barnes (right) and our Archdeacon John Kiddle.

The total raised to date has reached over £191,000 – the highest amount raised within a week after the event, which has taken place the first Friday of October every year since 2013. Glass Door is hoping to surpass the £200,000 target before the end of the month

Campaigns, Glass Door

Glass Door Winter 2018-19

The winter night shelter project in across the deanery in partnership with GlassDoor was hosted by St Matthias and St John the Divine in Richmond and All Saints and Christ Church in East Sheen. The project has now ended and the shelters are empty…..

The work continues throughout the year click here to find out how NextDoor are looking ahead to next winter.

  1. Glass Door Update to Deanery Synod 5th June 2019
  2. We had 158 guests in our shelters – ⅓ from the UK, ⅓ from the EU and ⅓ from the rest of the world . Guests included 58 women, the highest percentage of the four circuits. However some women would just come for the meal and then go..
  3. 35 people have been rehoused.
  4. Large numbers have been reconnected with benefits and family.
  5. The Glass Door project was mentioned in a recent council meeting. This year the council have been very supportive of the project unlike three years ago.
  6. Issues arising this year that GlassDoor are addressing for next year:
    1. Need to consider disabled access
    2. Need to make closer links with women’s refuges
    3. Training in mental health issues so issues with guests can be spotted. It was noted the police needed training as well as the volunteers.
  7. The Deanery hosted 4 out of the 7 nights in the Richmond circuit and the level of volunteering has been wonderful.

One guest was quoted as saying “I had no home and lost my business but GlassDoor turned my life around”.

As the GlassDoor shelters closed in April, Father Peter Hart asked us to pray…

…for the guests who may have returned to sleeping rough or sofa-surfing.

… for all those who have been rehoused, found work, had their benefits sorted out, put back in contact with family, had their documents restored – a blessing for them.

…for the staff and volunteers at the Vineyard Centre, Richmond as they continue to offer support and practical help throughout the year.

We should also give thanks….

…for the amazing volunteers who have made the winter night shelter project in partnership with GlassDoor possible‏.

…for an amazing community response to the project. Not just from the Churches but from the wider community and local schools.

…five months of welcome, fine food and good company