It was Christmas 2006 when Sheena Dykes and two friends made the tragic discovery of the body of a woman who had died while sleeping rough in Easton Street car park in High Wycombe.

Determined to do everything possible to prevent it from ever happening again, Sheena rallied a team of volunteers and set up the project that would go on to become Wycombe Homeless Connection.

Thirteen years later, Dr Sheena Dykes has been honoured for her incredible work on the streets of High Wycombe – with a BEM for her services to homeless people.

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 homeless or facing homelessness.

“This has only been possible,” said Sheena, “through the remarkable teamwork of our volunteers and staff and support from the whole community.”

Since the death of Josie Razzell, 47, a mother of six who died in the arms of her fiancé in the car park stairwell, Sheena and her team have helped thousands of homeless people and rough sleepers.

They first 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.

James Boultbee, Wycombe Homeless Connection’s CEO said: “From our founding until today Sheena’s dedication to the charity has been instrumental in ensuring that Wycombe Homeless Connection’s work is high quality, changes lives and follows the ethos that everyone who walks through our doors has worth.”

“In the last year we’ve been busier than ever. We prevented more unfair evictions than ever before, assisted more people to avoid becoming homeless through our legal advice clinics, and improved the wellbeing of those who are sleeping rough through a homeless health project.”

To donate and support Wycombe Homeless Connection, visit www.wyhoc.org.uk.