That was a question I was asked in a recent Winter Night Shelter Network forum attended by homelessness charities and church shelter projects from across the UK.
Once again Covid put a spanner in the works for communal shelters such as our East Surrey Winter Night Shelter and we were all reflecting on what difference they make to not only homeless people, but to the community as a whole. After 2 years of doing something different are communal shelters a thing of the past or is the idea worth pursuing as a cost-effective emergency solution for people finding themselves homeless in the coldest months?
In Reigate and Banstead, the council funded B&B places for local homeless people most nights and they also took in any homeless person when temperatures went below freezing. Some shelter charities across the same thing. However, having a bed for the night is only half the story.
“The great thing about Winter Night Shelter is that it brings together the community in a unique way and has a life changing impact on all involved.”
In the Network meeting, charities who ran a B&B model highlighted that it missed a key element brought by communal shelters. The great thing about Winter Night Shelter is that it brings together the community in a unique way and has a life changing impact on all involved.
Something special happens when a teams of volunteers give up their evening, night or breakfast time to help someone who has lost everything. Likewise, it is important for those of us fortunate to have a roof over our heads to be reminded how close we are to being in their shoes.
People who find a temporary home on our night shelter become part of a new community where they feel safe, feel accepted and as a result grow in confidence and hopefully leave the shelter in better stead to secure a long-term tenancy in the social or private rental market.
Volunteers are given a glimpse of the multiple reasons which lead to someone being on the streets – past trauma, job loss, relationship breakdown, domestic abuse, leaving foster care. For some it is simply that the dots in the system don’t join up. For example, someone leaving prison with nowhere to go next.
Is sleeping on a mattress on a church hall floor an ideal option? Of course, the answer is no.
Surely having your own shower and private room in a B&B is a better solution to provide a short-term solution to seasonal homelessness? There we have more shades of grey.
Where there is privacy there is also isolation. And in that isolation, the risk of mental illness, self-harm increases and as a result further infringement.
As our Winter Review this week revealed, the absence of of the Winter Night Shelter hasn’t stopped us making a difference to lives of homeless people in different ways. We have welcomed into the Drop-In no fewer than 40 people either living on the streets or in temporary accommodation. Some of them took the offer of having an evening meal with us too. Notably, we opened our first supported accommodation house for 4 homeless men which gives them the opportunity to focus on themselves and equip them with the life-skills to sustain their own tenancy.
Who knows what the future holds for Night Shelters. Conversations are ongoing nationally in government and the charity sector about Winter 2022/23 and beyond.
I do believe though that community has been poorer as a result of not having Winter Night Shelters.
Reigate and Banstead Writes is a community site aiming to support and celebrate local authors and writers and to celebrate the joy of writing and culture in our local area.
RH Write have chosen Renewed Hope as one of their charity beneficiaries for the RH Fringe 2020 Rock&Write 13-20 June event. Here is a link to their website to explore this amazing community space
And tickets are now on sale for the band night at the Harlequin, featuring a very up and coming band Apollo Junction. They are supported by HELVE a Redhill band with ex St. Bede’s alumni.
http://www.harlequintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/on-stage/apollo-junction-reigate-fringe/
Thank you RH Write for supporting Renewed Hope.
Renewed Hope are inviting local businesses to learn more about what our charity does, whilst enjoying an informal dinner prepared by volunteers. Dinners will take place on 26 February and 5 March from 7pm to 9.30pm.
Places are free of charge but must be booked in advance. If you and your business would like to take part in the dinner and find out more about ways in which your business could support Renewed Hope, please contact Hugh Serjeant on info@rhtes.org.uk
We have moved to Shrewsbury Chapel with the new phone number – 01737 886997 – pop in and see us.
Shrewsbury Chapel, Shrewsbury Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 6BH
Renewed Hope Trust (registered charity number 1161502).
Registered Address: Shrewsbury Chapel, Shrewsbury Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 6BH
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