Who We Are

For 9 years, up until March 2020 we provided a temporary winter rolling night shelter for those people who would have otherwise been sleeping rough on the streets of Hastings and St Leonards. In 2017 we were awarded "Excellent Practice" by Housing Justice, a recognised assurance to funders, local authorities, insurers, shelter guests and the local community that the shelter was run to the highest standard.

The Housing Justice Assessor in his report stated: ‘"The Snowflake shelter team clearly work well together with a spirit of cooperation and job satisfaction. It is apparent that everyone is dedicated and committed to this work. There is no doubt that Snowflake is making a significant contribution, in an impressive and well networked way, to alleviate poverty, destitution, social injustice and anti-social behaviour. This goes a long way in building and maintaining stronger, safer communities - perhaps more than many projects (and their Local Authorities) realise".

Following the global pandemic and decisions made by central government, we are no longer operating in the same way as we used to. For the last 2 years we have been supporting those homeless people who are placed in temporary accommodation over the winter by providing hot evening meals, seven days a week over the winter period. This coming winter we will be looking to increase the amount of social interaction with our guests where safe to do so.

We are currently busy planning our future provision and have some exciting projects in the pipeline which will enable us to continue to support homeless people in Hastings and the surrounding area.

"The common comradery, courtesy and respect I experienced at the shelter venue, amongst everyone present (volunteers, staff, guests and visitors),is of great credit to Snowflake as a whole. The breaking down of ‘us and them’ barriers and emphasis on integration as opposed to segregation was evident and a joy to experience." Housing Justice Assessor

The Snowflake Trust was established to provide and promote the provision of accommodation, shelter and housing and any ancillary facilities to those in need. With rotating night shelters largely becoming a thing of the past following the coronavirus pandemic, we are currently unable to provide accommodation, however, we are busy planning our future provision in light of the government's latest guidance published in August 2022.

Our Aims Are

	With respect and without discrimination, to engage local people with some of the most vulnerable people in the Town
	To provide non-judgemental hospitality and engagement with willing Volunteers to facilitate wellbeing and positive self-esteem
	To provide a hot evening meal to those those homeless people who are placed in temporary accommodation over the winter, freshly cooked and delivered to them each evening
	In liaison with specialist agencies, provide encouragement to our guests in accessing relevant longer term solutions to individual housing and employment needs