Wycombe Homeless Connection founder named in New Year Honours list

We're thrilled to announce our chair of trustees and co-founder Dr Sheena Dykes, DL, has been named in the 2020 New Year Honours list.

Sheena has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her voluntary service to people who are homeless in our community.

It was Christmas 2006 when Sheena and two friends were shocked and saddened to find the body of a woman, Josie, who had died while sleeping rough in Wycombe.

Determined to do everything they could to prevent this happening again, Sheena rallied a team of volunteers set up a project that would become Wycombe Homeless Connection.

Together they persuaded local churches to fund and host a winter night shelter, creating a safe, welcoming place for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough to get off the streets during the bleakest months of the year.

The charity’s 2020 night shelter has just opened and is still saving lives. Bringing together hundreds of dedicated volunteers of all faiths and none, the night shelter is an example of community in action and reflects the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere Sheena has helped to create through her passion and commitment.

Sheena is Wycombe Homeless Connection’s chair of trustees and has overseen the move of the charity from focusing primarily on the shelter and working with rough sleepers, to a growing organisation which now also tackles the root causes of homelessness, and fights for the rights of people who are experiencing and facing homelessness. “This has only been possible,” said Sheena, “through the remarkable teamwork of our volunteers and staff and support from the whole community.”

Our warmest congratulations to Sheena on this much deserved honour.