Graham Coxon to headline our spring party

Shelter from the Storm and Downstairs at Mother present an evening of exquisite music, featuring a 30 minute solo acoustic set from one of Britain's best loved songwriters, Graham Coxon.

 

We are absolutely thrilled to have the support of musical hero and local resident Graham Coxon. Graham's career began in the 1990s as the guitarist and co-writer in the Blur, achieving international success. Graham's 8th solo record 'A&E' was released last year to widespread critical acclaim.

 

In support will be one of the country's best and youngest talents, the incredible Denai Moore, and to start the party we have performances from the Cable Street open mic collective. To round us off we'll be playing some rock and roll on the wheels of steel till they kick us out and it's time to go home. 

Not only that, we have that talented and fabulous Nail Something crew who'll be coming down to paint the town - and your nails - red (or whatever colour or design you wish) for a small fee that will go directly to the shelter. Nail Something is a creative nail art business that draws inspiration from fashion, beauty and fine art to create amazing nail art - check out their website to find out more. 

 

By attending this event you will not only experience incredible performances and artwork, but every penny of the ticket price - just £20 - and any money spent in the bar will go directly to the shelter To put it in perspective, every £10 provides a warm bed and food for one person for one night. 

 

Click here to book your tickets online.

Visit our Facebook event page to say you're attending - and invite your friends too!

Meet a volunteer: Anthony

Anthony doesn't like to remember how he came to be homeless, the memories are too painful. Besides, it is all behind him now, in his past. For the last year he has been working as an administrator for a film production company, a role he got through the shelter.

Now he comes back each Monday to work as a volunteer, using his own experience to help people stuck in similar situations. "The people at the shelter taught me never to give up on myself," he says. "It took the pressure off me, gave me the space and time to get myself together." He says that's a rare luxury. Most shelters in London make people move on after a fixed amount of time. "The shelter gave me the opportunity to help myself. If it wasn't for that place, I could be dead now."

Guest stories: Margaret

Margaret is 62. “But everybody tells me I look younger”, she says. She came to London 25 years ago from Poland, where she’d worked as a German translator.

She began by studying English, initially planning to return home. However, she stayed on, working in pubs and cafés, cleaning and looking after children. “I’ve always liked London”, she says: “I used to go out a lot, to plays and concerts.” But as the economic climate worsened, work dried up. She could no longer afford her room and became homeless: “I spent five weeks at Victoria coach station, sleeping sitting up”, she says, shuddering as she's now been at SFTS for several months and cherishes having a bed: “After losing it all and being out on the street, you appreciate everything here”, she says: “The shelter is like a university of life -- you have time to learn to cope and to get to know yourself better.

She hopes to find work and become independent again. “I’m still around and my brain works”, she laughs. She’d like to use her languages or work with children. Another dream is to travel to Nepal, or somewhere in South America: “I was born in the mountains, so I love climbing and trekking.

Margaret says she used to see the downside, even when good things happened. But that’s changed since arriving at the shelter. “When you’re down, you have no choice”, she says, “I’ve never been so positive in my life”.

Guest stories: Darren

Darren spent ten years in the British Army. He was wounded while on duty in Afghanistan when an IED blew up the truck he was travelling in. Darren spent a year recovering in hospital, but has always struggled badly with post-traumatic stress disorder. After a spell living rough, he got himself together again, found a partner and took a job as cook.

One day he was called home from work by the police. His girlfriend had taken a heroin overdose. She had never used the drug before. She died three months later. Distraught, Darren turned to drink and drugs. He served three years in prison after an assault.

Thanks to support from the shelter, Darren has been clean for two months. "When I'm tempted to drink now," he says, "I think of this place, and what I owe them, and then I count to 100."

Meet a volunteer: Kate Riley

"London is an especially awful place to feel lonely. I found Shelter from the Storm when I was looking for somewhere to volunteer in my neighborhood - somewhere to feel like part of a community.

"And while chopping vegetables and washing dishes, I got to know not only the other volunteers, but the guests as well, many of whom I recognized from around Islington and still see even after they have left the shelter.

"It's a truly local labor of love. Shelter from the Storm runs on good, simple work: making supper, feeding people, and listening to their stories. It feels easier to say "yes" to others there; it feels easier be kind."