History
In the beginning, that is 1994, Mrs Pat Tilley met Neal, a rough sleeper in Tunbridge Wells. In conversation with Neal she realised that there must be several men and women sleeping rough in the town. With advice and support from David Gilpin, founder of the Bridge Trust, and with encouragement and funds from several churches, Pat Tilley founded what became The Bridge Trust Street Teams. In January 1995 Pat led three teams into the Crescent Road car park for three nights a week with twenty volunteers. Soup and sandwiches were served from the boots of cars. However, it soon became apparent this was not sufficient. As time passed, two more teams were formed giving cover five nights per week. Hot food was served from tables with chairs for customers to sit on. Sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothing were also distributed. In these early days we saw around 15 customers per night which has now risen to an average of 25, some nights over 30.
In 2009 the Street Teams separated from the Bridge Trust and reformed as the Tunbridge Wells Churches Street Teams, a voluntary association with its own management committee and constitution. In March 2015 our members voted to become part of Churches for Tunbridge Wells, a registered charity.
Local churches and individuals have always supported us and some kind people have made regular donations since the very beginning. Our customers have never been only those who are homeless, others come to us - the lonely, those who are short of money, those who, for whatever reason, need a hot meal or meet the volunteers and have a chat, and the distressed. Through the years 31 customers have died, the youngest in her early twenties. Some have died without family contact and have gone to be remembered by a few and soon forgotten. It is the donors and the volunteers who make everything work. Three volunteers have served since 1995; others have served for over a decade. They are prepared to work on the even the coldest evening, every week, without thought of reward.
In 2009 the Street Teams separated from the Bridge Trust and reformed as the Tunbridge Wells Churches Street Teams, a voluntary association with its own management committee and constitution. In March 2015 our members voted to become part of Churches for Tunbridge Wells, a registered charity.
Local churches and individuals have always supported us and some kind people have made regular donations since the very beginning. Our customers have never been only those who are homeless, others come to us - the lonely, those who are short of money, those who, for whatever reason, need a hot meal or meet the volunteers and have a chat, and the distressed. Through the years 31 customers have died, the youngest in her early twenties. Some have died without family contact and have gone to be remembered by a few and soon forgotten. It is the donors and the volunteers who make everything work. Three volunteers have served since 1995; others have served for over a decade. They are prepared to work on the even the coldest evening, every week, without thought of reward.
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Those of us who are strong and able in faith, need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, 'How can I help?' |
