We have no words... In the last hour we have had 20 portions of Sausage & Chips from Leyshon's of Brynna completely free of charge, then five minutes later we receive a Car Full of Food and Flowers from Sainsbury's Bridgend for the Homeless Community that we are housing at our Church overnight. Actually, we do have the words, they are simple. THANK YOU

WALES TODAY LIVE AT COMPASSION CHURCH!

As we start to set up for another night of offering shelter to those “sleeping rough” tonight we would like to publicly thank:- Wilkinson’s Bridgend, Bridgend Shopping Centre and Roger Bletsoe for supplying additional Oil Radiators to help keep the rooms warm To Hogfathers Catering who supplying food for our guests tonight To every person who has donated clothes, bedding, sleeping bags, toiletries and food which be passed onto our guest this evening And an enormous Thank You to those who will be spending time and sharing friendship with our Homeless Community this evening. We Thank You all. #Amazing #Bridgend

We’ve set up a gofundme account for donations to go toward our heating/electric bills! Thank you all for your support and help! We could not do this without you!! https://www.gofundme.com/heat-the-homeless-in-bridgend

Ok...we need some very specific help so Bridgend lets see what we can do. We’ve had so many donations that they are currently falling off the top of our narrow shelves in the “free shop” in the vestry! We also have no containers to put any more all the toiletries etc in either. We really could do with the following items please: 3/4 boards of MDF so we can extend the top of the shelves to hold all the bulky items such as quilts etc. A step ladder to safely reach the quilts/pillows etc 8/10 large plastic crates with lids for storage **Edit** this item is now donated 👉🏼6 hi visibility vests*** Also we are having a real struggle heating the back room (single skinned walls/single glazing never a good heat retaining combination!) so someone suggested we make some rocket heaters such as these 👉🏼 https://youtu.be/O6enMQ67zIA especially as these heaters don’t cost more than the cost of a few flower pots, nuts bolts washers and tealights to make and run. So if any kind companies out there would like to donate these items as part of their corporate social gifting in Bridgend that would be hugely appreciated. Please tag and share anyone who you think maybe able to help with these items too! Thanks Bridgend, let’s get this sorted and organised today ready for tonight’s guests.

* TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS * Thank you so so much for volunteering with us at Compassion Church to help the homeless during the cold! Before you arrive if you could please email us your name, age and how many people will be coming with you that’d be great! nathanjohnbeaton@gmail.com We’re excited to say that we now have enough volunteers for almost the entire week and just need 2 more for Thursday morning 12am-4am. When you arrive we would ask you to make yourself known to one of the team leaders in a high vis vest. Team leaders: 8pm - midnight: Lem Turner Midnight - 4am: Steve Bletsoe 4am - 7:30am: Nathan Beaton Throughout the shift we ask that you spend time getting to know the homeless and making them feel at home. Other voluntary opportunities are available outside of this week as we work with the homeless every Sunday between 10am - 1pm and then as the need arises throughout the week. There are also other fantastic organisations in Bridgend that help the homeless and need our support. We also have an open house at the church from 7pm-10pm every night this week for you to come and drop off donations and spend time getting to know everyone. Have an awesome day and thank you for serving Bridgend! #forbridgend

Hey guys! Due to the incredible volume of support we don’t want to miss anyone by not replying, so, here’s the best way that you can help: VOLUNTEERING Allocate yourself a slot on the below doodle and a team leader will be in touch to confirm: https://doodle.com/poll/drtd49pr2ywarszw GIVING You can drop off donations at Compassion Church, Nolton Street, Bridgend every night this week between 7-10pm Right now we need the following items: Pillows, sleeping bags, toiletries, t-shirts & underwear

It’s been an epic night here at Compassion Church on Nolton Street so far. We’ve got 9 guests staying with us tonight as the temperatures drop below zero. All are cwtched up warm and are getting a good, safe & warm nights sleep thanks to you, the people of Bridgend who’ve helped out. We’ve had donations of bedding, sleeping bags, clothes, toiletries, hand cream for chapped sore skin, hats/gloves/scarves. Along with food and other incidentals such as nail clippers and other items for personal care. We’ve had lots of offers of help but all are welcome over the coming week too as we expect the snow to make things even tougher for our guests. So please, get in touch if you want to help. We’d love to hear from you. Also can we say a huge thank you to McDonalds who donated meals for all our guests tonight and to Starbucks who donated hot drinks too. Along with all our lovely volunteers tonight and individual donations. You’ve made the world of difference to 9 individuals who know that the world DOES still care for them. Thank you!

HOW TO HELP THE HOMELESS DURING THE COLD https://youtu.be/Z2d-twsA0n0 Here's how you can help the homeless in Bridgend in partnership with Compassion Church: VOLUNTEERING: - Every Sunday at 10am we are looking for people to build relationships with our homeless community at Compassion Church, Nolton Street, Bridgend - As of Feb 26th, 2018 we are looking to fill the below night shift slots for a minimum of 4 volunteers per shift so that we can house the homeless during the cold weather. https://doodle.com/poll/drtd49pr2ywarszw GIVING: - If you would like to make donations of clothes or toiletries then these can be dropped off on a Sunday morning at 10am or for this week only you can drop them anytime between 8-10pm. Deposits can be made to Compassion Church, Nolton Street, Bridgend. These will then be freely given to those in need within our community. To stay up to date on all volunteering and giving opportunities please like and follow Compassion Church Bridgend on Facebook. Our heart is to love everyone in our community and beyond. https://www.facebook.com/compassionbridgend/ Thanks so much! #forbridgend

On Saturday we opened our doors to anyone who wanted to come in for a warm cup of soup and a "big screen" experience watching our team play in the 6 nations. The response we got was overwhelmingly great! In the weeks leading up to this we have noticed an uptick of those less fortunate in and around our community sleeping rough. Because of what happened on Saturday and because we have seen a need with temperatures dropping tonight. We have decided to help our other community leaders in offering more floor space. No ONE should be out tonight sleeping rough. I'm afraid if we don't do something someone will not make it through tonight. Here's where you come in. We need people to man some shifts throughout the night. Will you consider helping to ensure a comfortable night for all? Shifts range from 8pm-12am, 12am-4am, and 4am-7am. Please consider giving up 4 hours to help someone in need. Let us know by responding in the comments below for messaging us.

Join us this morning for Week 4 of our "Church Hurt" series. Have a great Sunday! #compassion #church #bridgend