• Make a regular financial contribution
• Raise funds through the events they organise
• Take responsibility for supplying specific items, such as food or capital equipment, as communicated by the Sanctuary Project Manager.
• Commit to volunteer regularly to the running of the night shelter and its associated activities
• Be vocal ambassadors in promoting what we do and in recruiting more supporters

As well as knowing that without your support Gravesham Sanctuary could not operate, Friends also receive:

• The use of a certified Friends of Gravesham Sanctuary logo
• Regular updates as to what is going on in the project
• Optional listing of their name on the Gravesham Sanctuary website. For churches and organisations this can include links to their own website.
• Invitation to a ‘Friends of Gravesham Sanctuary’ only event during the year
• Information and fund-raising packs
• From time-to-time we will offer Friends of Gravesham Sanctuary branded items, such as clothing, which will only be made available to those who are part of the Friends programme.

Information for Churches
Gravesham Sanctuary was set up specifically as a Christian response to those in need. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 25 that He expects us to help the disadvantaged among our community, including the homeless.

We recognise that churches typically have limited resources, so by working together we can do so much more. Here are some things that a church can do to become a Friend:

Promote the work of Sanctuary and our need for volunteers in newsletters and on noticeboards
Invite us to speak at your service – we can bring a gospel message of hope and answers to prayer happening right where we live
Make a regular financial contribution – even a few pounds each month can make a big difference
Adopt a night. This is where the church takes on the responsibility to run the night shelter for one night. We provide all the resources, training and backup needed. This is a great way for congregations to feel ownership and part of what God is doing in our town.

Over the past few years, we have been so grateful for the support we have received from local businesses.  Some of this has come in the form of regular gifts such as food, while another support has been in response to a particular request such as the provision of an industrial washing machine.

We still need organisations to do these things, but as part of the programme, we are looking for a regular commitment to help.  Here are some suggestions of how organisations can be involved:

Regular gifts of :

• Food
• Cleaning products

Occasional gifts in response to appeals, e.g.

• Bedding such as pillows and sleeping bags
• Electrical / white goods
• Decorating items

We are also looking for organisations to sponsor some of our day-to-day roles.  Getting funding for staff is very difficult but without them, we cannot operate.  Here are two key roles where we are looking for funding:

• Overnight coordinator (approx. £11,200 pa)
• Volunteer administrator (approx. £6500 pa)

Finally, organisations can also help us by ‘adopting’ us as their official charity.  This would then pave the way for:

• Employees giving via the payroll
• Supplying people to serve for a set number of weeks
• Promoting our need for volunteers and funding through internal bulletins

Commercial Companies:

• Breyer Group
• Chalk Plumbing
• Coop, Painters Ash
• Gravesham Borough Council
• Howdens Joinery
• Lidl
• Marie’s Tea Room
• Mulalley and Co
• John Lewis Partnership
• PA Group
• Tesco
• Waitrose, Aylesford

Other Organisations:

• • • Chantry Lodge
    • Gravesend District Lions Club
    • Gravesend Pudden Club
    • Gravesham 50plus forum
    • Huggens College
    • Inner Wheel Club of Gravesend
    • Leigh Osbourne Band
    • Northfleet and Ebbsfleet Lions Club
    • Rotary Club of Gravesend & Meopham
    • United Living

Churches:

• • Chalk Church
  • Christ Church Milton Next Gravesend
  • City Praise Centre
  • Eastgate
  • Emmanuel Baptist Church
  • Gravesend Methodist Church
  • St Botolph’s Church, Northfleet
  • St Georges
  • St Margarets, Ifield