Ulverstone Baptist Helps Bring Warmth and Hope to Those in Need

A remarkable new initiative is bringing churches across Ulverstone together to offer warmth, safety and hospitality to people experiencing homelessness this winter. The Ulverstone Churches Winter Shelter Project, launched in August after more than two years of planning, provides overnight accommodation for up to ten guests each night, with dinner and breakfast also available for those unable to stay overnight.

Ulverstone Baptist Church has been involved from the early vision and planning stages. Conversations began in early 2024, and Andrew Webb, the Salvation Army minister in Ulverstone, met with church leadership around June or July 2024 to present the vision for the project. Andrew has led the development of the project, drawing on his previous experience with a similar initiative in Sunbury, Victoria, and continues to provide leadership today.

UBC was also involved in discussions with the local council, working through the Ulverstone Ministers’ Gathering and providing supportive correspondence. At one stage, key council representatives attended a ministers’ meeting so that churches and council could work together to address requirements and ensure the project met all necessary standards. For UBC, this included fitting the church’s venue with additional smoke detectors to meet compliance requirements.

Currently Ulverstone Baptist is one of four host venues, with nine churches working together to make this community-wide response possible, providing volunteers, facilities and practical support. More than 115 volunteers have joined the project, with around 35 serving each week. Approximately 70 per cent of volunteers come from churches, while around 30 per cent are people from outside the participating churches. The shelter moves between participating churches throughout the week, with each venue providing a safe and welcoming environment for guests.

For those serving, this is an opportunity to put faith into practical action. Volunteers share meals, provide a warm place to sleep, listen to people’s stories and offer a welcome that communicates dignity and care.

Importantly, the project is not a strongly attached ministry or an evangelistic program. Its focus is simply on responding to people in need. As one volunteer put it, “It’s not an evangelism focus. It’s simply Christ’s love in action.”

The project is a wonderful example of churches putting aside differences and working together for the good of their community. It demonstrates what can happen when churches, community leaders and volunteers share a common concern for people who are vulnerable and work together to meet a practical need.

It is hoped that the Ulverstone model will encourage other communities across Tasmania to consider how churches can respond together to homelessness with compassion, practical care and the love of Christ.