In a week’s time St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School will be taken over by an army of volunteers ready to welcome hundreds of people for Christmas.

Birmingham Christmas Shelter is spending its fourth year at the school on Great Colmore Street.

Around 220 people will be able to access the Shelter 24/7 for four days and four nights. Many will be homeless, many are alone, but they will all receive a very warm welcome.

The Shelter will be providing food, health care, temporary accommodation and entertainment from 10am on Christmas Eve to 10.30am on Sunday 28 December.

It would cost £37,000 to provide the Shelter for 220 people for four days and nights. Plus a further £20,000 to hire a premise.

But thankfully those costs are avoided thanks to the continued generosity of supporters. The venue is provided by the school, donations are handed over by organisations, retailers, commercial food suppliers, local parishes and schools.

And between 350 and 400 people give up their time to volunteer over the four-day period. There are no paid staff.

Children at St Catherine of Siena, and neighbouring schools, play a pivotal role in helping to prepare for the Shelter.

Many of them are Mini Vinnie’s, youngest members of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), and are actively putting their faith into action.

Shirley Mallon, who organises Birmingham Christmas Shelter, said: “The Shelter brings home to the children what the Good Samaritan did. They roll their sleeves up and help with the preparation.

“They are thinking about others, they are thinking outside themselves.”

Kerris Caley, a teacher at St Catherine’s said: “Children see homelessness on their way to school. They are very passionate about helping, living out Catholic social teaching.

“During Advent we have two ‘purple’ Mondays and a ‘pink’ Monday where the children bring in donations. They make Christmas cards and decorations.

“This year pupils in Year 1 across four schools have made wellbeing bags, which will be handed to guests next week.

“The children are very interested and want to do something to help.”

Planning for this year’s Shelter began as soon as last year’s ended. The Shelter team work closely with St Catherine’s to review, learn from and make any changes/improvements.

“The school as a venue is amazing,” said Shirley. “The brightness of it is very welcoming. It is closer to the city centre than previous venues and easier for volunteers and guests to get to.

“We offer safety, warmth and companionship. People who attend are seeking company, someone to talk to. They want to be treated with dignity and respect, to feel safe.

“All those who attend, men and women, are vulnerable. They may be homeless, or simply on their own at Christmas. We are here to help them.”

Birmingham Christmas Shelter

Birmingham Shelter is open for 24 hours a day on four days during Christmas week.
•    We provide three hot meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day, showers, entertainment, companionship and services such as footcare, hairdressing, massage and housing advice.
•    We welcome anyone over 16 regardless of gender including gender reassignment, race, religion, sexual orientation, language or any history of substance misuse, mental, physical or learning disability or involvement with the criminal justice system.  All we ask is that you show respect to fellow guests and volunteers and comply with our rules of behaviour that are designed to keep everyone safe.