Chess Homeless – Opening doors for the homeless in Chelmsford

Accommodation – Apply For A Bed

SleepOut Fundraiser at Chelmsford Cathedral

Worried About A Rough Sleeper?

If you have seen someone in your community sleeping rough and are worried you can get help for them via Streetlink.  This will issue a referral to the local Outreach Team who will pay them a visit to ascertain their needs. If required they will be provided with warm clothes, a sleeping bag and some food, plus help and advice any steps that can be taken to provide a more permanent solution. To make a referral visit https://www.streetlink.org.uk/

Upcoming Events

Business Support

By supporting CHESS Homeless, your company is demonstrating a commitment to the local community, which can have a positive effect on your company image and brand.  You’ll be showing Corporate Social Responsibility to both your staff and customers as well as helping make Essex an even better place to live.  If you would like to support us please get in touch fundraising@chesshomeless.org

Urgent Needs

Current Need

Now that the warmer weather is here we have an urgent need for sunscreen and bottled water.

We have an ongoing and urgent need for sleeping bags and small pop up tents. 

We have a constant need for these items as they are stolen and ruined by bad weather.  Our Outreach Team work regularly with rough sleepers and we are always looking for permanent solutions but tents provide some help in an emergency. If you can help with this please contact us at 01245 281104. Thankyou.

We are currently unable to accept any clothing or bedding donations – we are so grateful for people’s generosity but we have limited storage facilities. We will keep this page updated as to when our donations are open again.  You can find a full list of  items that we need or can be donated here

Get Your Copy Of Our Latest Newsletter

If you would like to hear about what has been going on at CHESS this year, why not download a copy of our free Newsletter. It is full of inspirational stories and updates to the services that we are able to offer those experiencing homelessness.

You can also order our newly designed christmas cards in packs of 6 (2 designs), for just £5 which were hand-drawn by our services users. All money raised goes back into CHESS to support those experiencing homelessness with services designed to get them back on their feet.

If you would like a paper copy just let us know and we will pop one in the post to you. Download your copy now CHESS Newsletter – Winter 2022

Helping the Homeless In Your Community

What should we do if we see someone homeless where we live? Should we give them money? Should we give them food? How can we best help them? During the current Covid-19 situation our Outreach Team have been out regularly visiting rough sleepers whilst working within government guidelines. But there are many other ways in which you can help.  We have put together some helpful advice on the best action to take which can be found by clicking on the button below.

Our Aims

Our Christian ethos guides our belief that everyone is of equal worth and equally deserving of respect.

Our Work

Lylli's Story - How CHESS helped me
The Vi5ion - Pocket Change

The Vi5ion are a local Chelmsford band who have been great supporters of CHESS. One of the band member has personal experience of homelessness and a passion to see change for those individuals in the same position.

Their song ‘Pocket Change’ reflects the impact of being homeless and they have kindly allowed us to share this on our page.

Case Studies

Our Gallery