What is the Robes Project?

The Robes Project provides emergency accommodation for homeless people during the coldest months of the winter every year. It has been in operation since 2006 and has grown from strength to strength. In 2009-10 we opened in November to operate for five months. Have a look at our ‘annual reports’: for more information.

‘Why?’

A key motivator for starting the Robes Project was the realisation that there was no church-run emergency night shelter south of the Thames until Croydon.

Street counts can underestimate the extent of homelessness in London. In addition, many people who become homeless are considered ‘non-priority’ to statutory services and need support to access appropriate services and find longer-term accommodation.

As the months get colder, it gets all the more urgent for people to have a place to stay off the streets. The Robes Project also makes it a priority to look at the longer-term housing, employment and support needs of our homeless guests.

‘How does it work?

Each night of the week a different church provides a hot meal, a bed and shelter to thirteen guests. A team of 200 volunteers support this work – hosting, cooking, doing laundry and providing a listening ear. Fifteen churches currently host.

The project is staffed by a Coordinator appointed each year who liaises between referral agencies, churches, volunteers and guests, and an Advice Worker who meets with the guests, looking to their longer-term support after their time at the Robes Project.