Who can stay at a Shunem Trust House?
Shunem Trust exists for mission workers and their families, they are our priority:
- The Trust exists to help long-term mission workers serving overseas, either when they are back on home leave or during planned or forced periods of relocation. Our bookings procedure therefore aims to prioritise mission workers.
- We only accept mission workers who are sent by a mission agency and/or are accountable to a sending church and can provide their contact details for a reference.
To help support our mission, we also welcome other people:
- To help support our mission of providing affordable accommodation for mission workers, we try to keep our costs down by minimising vacancies. We do therefore accept shorter last-minute bookings from people who share our vision and values and who want to support our mission.
- We only accept people who can provide a satisfactory reference either from their church leader or from someone known to the Shunem Trust.
- All such bookings are subject to the approval of the Trustees.
How long can you stay at the Shunem Trust House?
Mission workers:
- Durations are usually one to six months.
- Durations of one to four weeks are possible if there is availability less than two months in advance of your requested dates or your booking dovetails neatly with existing bookings. Before this, priority is given to requests of longer duration.
- Durations longer than six months cannot be booked upfront unless agreed by the Trustees. If no new bookings are received, then extensions can be offered with one month’s notice on either side.
Other people:
- The usual duration is one to eight weeks.
- Occasionally, exceptions are agreed by the Trustees.
When can you book your stay at a Shunem Trust House?
Mission workers:
- Standard bookings of one to six months can be made up to two years in advance.
- Shorter bookings of one to four weeks can generally only be confirmed two months in advance unless the dates dovetail with existing bookings. Before this, priority is given to requests of longer duration. You’re welcome to submit a booking enquiry sooner and we’ll add you to our waiting list if we don’t immediately process your booking.
Other people:
- In order to give priority to mission workers, bookings can usually only be confirmed two months or less in advance unless they dovetail with existing bookings. You’re welcome to submit a booking enquiry sooner and we’ll add you to our waiting list if we decide not to immediately process your booking.
How much does it cost to stay at a Shunem Trust House?
Mission workers:
Our standard rents, inclusive of all bills, are:
- Vane Road: £800 per month
- Simmons Way: £1,000 per month
Invoices are calculated on a pro rata basis.
Rents are periodically reviewed to ensure we are covering our operating costs. For bookings made less than 6 months in advance, you will be charged the rent at the time you booked. For bookings made more than 6 months in advance, you will be charged the current rent at the time of your stay.
If the rent is not affordable for you, it may be possible to receive a bursary. Such requests are considered on a case by case basis in consultation with your referee and the Shunem Trust trustees.
Other people:
Our standard rents, inclusive of all bills, are:
- Vane Road: £800 per month, plus £50 cleaning fee
- Simmons Way: £1,000 per month, plus £60 cleaning fee
Invoices are calculated on a pro rata basis.
Unlike mission workers, other people are required to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure the booking and a cleaning fee is added to the final invoice.
Since we intentionally keep our rents well below market rates, we encourage other people staying at our properties to make a voluntary donation into our bursary fund in addition to paying the rent. This is used to assist mission workers who can’t afford to pay the standard rent.
It is suggested that this donation be at least 50% of the total rent for your stay, but please give as much or as little as you can afford.
If you are able to add Gift Aid to your donation, then please give via our Stewardship Partner Account.