THE Salvation Army's Isle of Wight Corps will be opening its doors to allow rough sleepers to seek shelter throughout the cold winter months. 
The church and charity's homeless support unit has joined the Isle of Wight Council to help the authority do all it can to ensure people experiencing homelessness do not have to bed down on the streets this winter. 
The Salvation Army, in Pyle Street, will be bringing rough sleepers in from the cold from November 27 until the end of March 2018 and working hard to achieve the Housing Justice Quality mark for Church and Community night shelters during its first year of operation.
The Salvation Army already operates a street outreach intervention service that delivers personalised support packages to people experiencing homelessness on the Island throughout the year.   
The specialised team helps rough sleepers find whatever help is appropriate for their needs - including access to addiction support or mental health and wellbeing services - and links to other emergency accommodation provision. 
Jamie Brenchley, service manager for The Salvation Army Homeless Services on the Isle of Wight, said: "This year we will provide a winter shelter provision that gives hope to the many people on the Isle of Wight that are experiencing homelessness. 
"We will develop personalised packages of support alongside individuals and partners, designed to support people on their unique journey from homelessness to home.
"This will complement our other homeless services on the IW and enable us to provide an integrated model of accommodation, support and pathways back to independence. Life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change." 
Any individuals, groups or businesses interested in working with or for The Salvation Army on the Isle of Wight, in a volunteer capacity, can email Lucy Rhoden, Salvation Army Street Outreach Intervention Coordinator at lucy.rhoden@salvationarmy.org.uk