The IOW Night Shelter became Sainsbury's Cowes Charity of the Year in May 2016, although we had worked with Andy & Ruth previously on our charity days in store.

The colleagues decided it would be a great idea to raise their understanding of what it must be like to be homeless by sleeping on the streets for a night to help their awareness of the challenges faced and appreciation of how the money we raise will help the homeless on the Isle of Wight.

Therefor on Sunday 25th September, 8 colleagues from Sainsburys Cowes will be sleeping on the street in Newport as a fundraising event, please read Andy & Ruth's story below and any donation you give will be truly appreciated.

Andy and Ruth Davis, have been involved in helping homeless people for many years. They have been running the Night Shelter facility on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council at Downside Community and Learning Centre (formerly Downside Middle School) since 2011.

Whilst the Downside Community and Learning Centre (Downside) site has been valuable as a temporary expedient it is not viable as a long-term arrangement. Andy and Ruth have an incredibly strong commitment to improve conditions on the Isle of Wight for homeless people. They fully understand the difficulties and challenges presented by this client group. They also know that by providing a safe haven, a regular routine and stability those that are homeless can start to turn their lives around.

Suitable premises are still being sort. The planned facility would consist of two distinct elements – a walk-in Night Shelter providing emergency overnight accommodation along with a halfway-house accommodation provided in individual ‘bed-sit’ units. All clients would receive help with their problems, if required, but those in the halfway house accommodation would be provided with a support and training programme specifically designed to help them rejoin mainstream society and find settled accommodation of their own.