A CHARITY which helps homeless people in Bristol at Christmas is looking for more volunteers.

Caring at Christmas is based in Little Bishop Street, St Paul's, and every December opens a 24-hour emergency shelter, providing support for those who would have nowhere else to go.

It provides 50 beds, three meals a day, showers, clothes, and access to medical services and entertainment in a safe atmosphere.

Last year the charity served 1,605 freshly-prepared meals during Christmas week.

This Christmas the direct access shelter will be open from 3pm on Wednesday, December 24 until 10am on Tuesday, December 30.

Caring at Christmas relies on volunteers and donations to make sure the shelter can stay open throughout the week.

Recently it launched an appeal, sending out letters to more than 3,000 people who have previously supported the charity or have shown an interest in doing so.

Co-ordinator Sian Lamprey said: "Every year we need to recruit new volunteers, as existing volunteers understandably cannot always help out year after year.

"People do not need previous experience as training and support is given to all volunteers.

"We welcome new people. We also need people with skills such as chefs, GPs, chiropodists, hairdressers and musicians to provide services and entertainment.

"We must also gather enough donated money and goods to ensure the shelter can stay open.

"This can be difficult at this time of year when businesses, churches and individuals already have so many other commitments.

"It is vital this service is provided, to ensure vulnerable people who have nowhere else to go are safe and cared for, over what can be a very difficult time of year."

Caring at Christmas also works throughout the year to help the homeless in Bristol.

Projects include producing an annually updated Survival Handbook giving advice about services available to homeless people and those in danger of becoming homeless in the Bristol area.

The charity maintains a website, www.caringatchristmas.org.uk and manages Caring in August, which for the third year running.

This provides services for homeless people in Bristol when other organisations are take their summer break.

It also runs C@C Bristol Nightstop throughout the year, providing emergency accommodation for 16 to 25 year olds in the homes of their trained volunteer Hosts.

To get in touch with the Bristol charity, call 924 4444 or email info@caring atchristmas.org.uk.