Folkestone's 'life-saving' Winter Shelter provides safety, food and a bed to the town's homeless.

Now run by the Rainbow Centre (RC) charity, it was established in 2009 by Churches Together.

But unless you volunteer there, support it financially or use it, you might not know much about the service.

KentOnline's sister paper Folkestone & Hythe Express was invited to attend the shelter to see how it cares for the people who find themselves without a home of their own.

Every night from the beginning of December to the start of March, a different venue opens its doors to up to 13 people in need of accommodation.

On the night the Express visited it was held at Harbour Church in Canterbury Road and 10 men and one woman were in need.

Staff from the RC and volunteers will arrive at around 6.30pm and start unloading camp beds, bedding, spare clothes, books and games from a van.

They then set up a large dining table and erect the beds while others start on the dinner.

A briefing is given to the volunteers by staff about who is expected to arrive; people have to let the RC know in advance if they are coming as there is a waiting list and limited spaces.

Anxiety, depression, drug addiction, unexpected evictions, job loses and relationship breakdowns were just some of the issues people were dealing with and therefore listed during this short meeting.

Guests are let in about 7.15pm, although some had already arrived by this point and were waiting for the doors to open. Some of those waiting had helped the volunteers carry equipment in from the van.

Dinner was served at about 8pm, with volunteers, staff and guests sitting down together.

On the menu during our visit was gammon, cauliflower cheese, vegetables and potatoes followed by trifle. Bread was also on the table as were jugs of squash. Tea and coffee is also available.

Seconds were offered to everyone.

After dinner some people retired to their beds to read or play on their phone, others stayed and chatted around the table, some looked through the bag of fresh clothes and others went for a cigarette.

Volunteers clear the dinner away and eventually people will settle down for the night.

The next day, breakfast is served, guests leave and all the equipment is packed away.

On any night there will be two members of staff from the RC - who check guests in-, four volunteers to do the evening shift, someone in the kitchen and a venue manager.

Then at 9.30pm the overnight volunteers arrive who remain there all night, with a two-on and two-off sleeping system.

In the morning, another batch of volunteers arrive to do the breakfast shift and pack up.

The food is either provided by the venue itself, the volunteers who are cooking that night, or from the Foodbank.

And there are many rules that guests have to adhere too.

Anyone staying for the night have to be at the shelter by 8pm, unless they've warned staff they might be a bit late. They also have to leave by 8am.

No one deemed a safety risk is let in, for example, if they've had too much to drink.

And staff aren't afraid to put these rules into place - one guest had been banned for several nights because of behaviour.

Jana Ernest, Winter Shelter project manager, said: "We are strict but guests know we won't tolerate certain things. But it is more mental health issues than violence.

"Some people can't grasp the concept of the shelter - can't get here on time, can't not drink between certain times, don't get on with others.

'I feel we get a hard time...people judge...'

"It is so horrible having to turn people away but we have to be safe."

Mrs Earnest estimates there are between 20-22 people homeless in Folkestone.

"We've housed guests this winter and we're still full," she said.

But she believes it is important for people to get a good night's sleep and decent feed, so they're able to engage the next day when filling out forms and applying for jobs and a place to stay.

Mrs Ernest added: "The shelter is a safe welcoming place for homeless people sleeping rough. Its main purpose is to keep people safe during the coldest months of the year."

As well as the shelter, the RC runs a Homeless Support Service and Day Club.

It works with partner agencies including a drug and alcohol agency worker, Porchlight, outreach workers and Sanctuary Homeless Support, and others.

"We've had guests who think they'd never end up like this," Mrs Ernest said. "Others are scared to use the shelter, not sure what to expect. One man who was worried came just for dinner but then ended up staying.

"It is important to be respected and part of the community."

Everyone who relies on the shelter has their own story to tell.

One guest reflected that while sleeping rough in a tent he woke up to find two people kicking the sides in. They eventually ran off.

Another man had been spat at, called names and had items thrown at him while he sat on the street.

Others had been refused council housing as they were deemed not vulnerable enough and therefore 'non-priority'.

But there were also some positive tales; one man, who found himself homeless after losing his job was sure a new one was just around the corner.

Others were already in employment, some awaiting accommodation.

One guest, who suffered with depression, PTSD and schizophrenia, had been homeless for a month following the end of a relationship.

He described the Winter Shelter as a 'lifesaver': "It provides warmth and food. Because of my PTSD I can feel on edge. I feel relaxed here.

"I would like a room in a house; it would provide stability and I could sort out my mental health.

"I feel we get a a hard time. People judge. The staff and volunteers do a fantastic job but I'm not guaranteed a place to stay. It's down to the council and they don't know the definition of the word 'vulnerable'."

Another man, who lost his job after his last job contract ended, said he felt "embarrassed" to be homeless.

He spent a few nights on the streets, but said he didn't sleep, before being offered a place at the shelter.

He said: "I feel lucky to have this roof over my head. I'm hoping to get a job next month. But the world is changing and people are using computers for everything. But some people can't do that."

One guest, who has found himself homeless for a second time, said he felt vulnerable sleeping on the streets.

"I felt the cold and I felt on edge," he said.

• On the last night of the Winter Shelter, on Sunday, eight people were still using it. But the RC team say everyone has been able to seek temporary accommodation.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone