The Folkestone Churches Winter Shelter project was established in 2009 by Churches Together Folkestone and other local interests, having witnessed the hardships facing homeless people locally. For the last fifteen years, the Folkestone Rainbow Centre has overseen the operation of the shelter project.

Our steering group meets regularly to help ensure that the shelter is fit for purpose and continues to develop to meet the needs of the homeless and vulnerably housed in the Folkestone and Hythe district.

Managed by our Homeless Support Service, our Winter Shelter runs between 1 December and 28 February each year. Through a referral process guests are offered places at local B&Bs.  Referrals may be people we are already working with or from local partner agencies that work with homeless people.  

For more information please email hss@rainbow-centre.org 

Volunteering

We are recruiting volunteers for the 2025-2026 Winter Shelter. You can apply below or for further information please contact Andrew, our Volunteer and Events Officer at volunteering@rainbow-centre.org or 01303 850733

Existing Volunteers
If you currently volunteer for one of Rainbow Centre’s services or have done Winter Shelter in the last 2 years, you only need to complete the Winter Shelter Addendum.

New Volunteers
If you are a new volunteer to Rainbow Centre, please could you complete both the Winter Shelter  Addendum and the Volunteering Application.

Donations

If you would like your donation to go specifically to the Winter Shelter you can do so through the donate button below.