FCENS is a collaboration of churches to support homeless people in Waltham Forest. Until 2020, FCENS ran winter night shelters in seven church halls, rotating each night of the week. Volunteers offered food and fellowship, advice and support each evening. Since Covid, the communal sleeping model had to change and the night shelter has moved to a hotel. This arrangement enables us to provide shelte
r, but costs are very high and fellowship and casework support is more complex. Our drop-in centre is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am – 3pm at Brookscroft, 640 Forest Road (next to YMCA), Walthamstow E17 3ED. Our night shelter is open from 1st November 2022 – 31st March 2023. Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter is actively working with Waltham Forest Council and with stakeholders in our borough to find premises for a long-term night shelter and drop-in support centre, where we can work to support those who are in need and vulnerable due to homelessness in Waltham Forest.
