Hundreds of volunteers are being called for by the Salvation Army to help run their winter night shelter which provides a hot dinner and a warm bed to anyone in need.

The annual shelter is open for three months and aims to give lifesaving shelter to people who find themselves with nowhere else to go.

Organisers say that no matter how much or little time you have to spare this winter, they want to hear from you.

The shelter, based in Clements Road, Ilford provides space for about 25 people each night with additional emergency space created when the temperature drops.

John Clifton, 27, corps officer, said: “We are recruiting volunteers to make sure we are ready for when the winter kicks in. Put simply, the night shelter keeps people alive in the cold winter months.”

The shelter, which opens in December, is not just about providing somewhere for people to sleep, Mr Clifton says.

“It’s about building relationships between the volunteers and the rough sleepers and building a community and recognising them for who they are as human beings,” he said.

“It’s not just giving them somewhere to sleep – we are working to make sure they get out of that situation.”

The shelter will need about 300 volunteers for it to achieve all of their services with volunteers ideally going in a night a week.

Mr Clifton said: “The more people we have involved the better help we will be able to give to address the problem of homelessness.”

He said that volunteering at the night shelter was extremely rewarding although it can in many ways be demanding.

“The more people involved, the more who know the rough sleepers and the more people are connected to each other. It’s really important to build a community because you really never know when it could be you that needs help.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should email candice.steen@salvationarmy.org.uk 020 8478 2961.