History

Josie Razzell died sleeping rough in the stairwell of Easton Street car park early on Christmas day 2006.

Two church leaders in Wycombe were already looking at ways to help the homeless people in the town. They visited Camden, where seven churches were operating a winter shelter that rotated around their premises each week. Back in Wycombe an open meeting was held to assess interest in doing something similar.

Encouraged by the reaction, the two church leaders set to work to recruit host churches, signed up an army of volunteers and employed a project manager to anchor the work. Things only fell into place at the last moment – faith was certainly tested! - but Wycombe Winter Night Shelter opened its doors in January 2008. It has opened each year since then, and hundreds have passed through.

Helping guests move on into accommodation and towards employment required year-round effort, and so a framework of support services was developed and the level of staffing was increased. This year-round work benefits many more individuals than use the Shelter.

In 2009 the work achieved charitable status, and in 2010 the true breadth of the effort was recognised by the change of name to Wycombe Homeless Connection.

Local support by individuals, churches, companies and press has been outstanding. Recognition has included the following:

• 2009 Community Safety Award from the Wycombe Community Safety Partnership
• 2011 John Lewis High Wycombe Charity of the Year
• 2011 RAF High Wycombe charity of the year
• 2011 Nomination for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service