Friday, 12th September 2003
Derby Night Shelter | |
|  | | The shelter provides beds for the homeless |
| | The majority of the cash raised in this year's Money Mountain appeal will be given to the Derby Night Shelter - a local charity which offers homeless people a bed for the night. |
| As the summer draws to a close and the nights get colder, the importance of the Derby Night Shelter to homeless people in the city becomes all the more apparent.
Based at Glad Tidings Hall in Boyer Street, the charity offers homeless people overnight accommodation, food and drink and practical advice.
The shelter opens its doors at 9pm and has 12 beds - all of which are usually taken up each night.
 Take a tour of the shelter
Guests have to arrive at the shelter between 8.45 and 9.00 and if they're not there on time, their bed will be allocated to someone on the reserve list - which usually has five or six people on it.
The staff operate a non-judgemental policy though beds are refused to anyone who arrives drunk and aggressive.
 | | Jackie Carpenter |
Shelter worker Jackie Carpenter says that problems are reasonably rare.
She said: "We only have nine people who are banned from using the shelter. That's a relatively low number. Of course you get the occasional rows and arguments but I think you'd get that in any situation where people live together."
Each night the shelter is run by two staff members from the charity along with volunteers who help to prepare sandwiches for guests arriving for the night.
Entertainment at the shelter includes television, books and games donated by members of the public.
Whilst on the premises, guests can receive advice on getting into housing, drug and alcohol services and benefits - including help in filling out the paperwork to apply for help.
In the morning, guests receive tea and toast and have to leave by 8am.
Take a tour of the shelter
Jackie Carpenter describes the atmosphere as jokey and friendly - but the building is clearly in need of a make-over.
Paint is peeling off almost every wall, there are holes in ceilings, the outside toilets are a long walk from the main building and there are no showers.
 | | The stairs are in urgent need of repair |
Money received from this year's Money Mountain appeal will go towards fixing some of those problems - and staff are also crossing their fingers for additional funding which will go towards expanding the operation.
Jackie said: "I always think 'there but for the grace of God go I'. Some of the people who have stayed here include qualified plumbers, electricians, one man was even a mortgage holder who had got into trouble so it can happen to anyone."
The charity is always in search of fresh volunteers and anyone interested should contact its Ashbourne Road office on 01332 867810.
Donations are also appreciated - and in particular socks, scarves, hats and gloves - as well as basic amenities such as sugar, coffee, tea-bags and biscuits. These should be taken to one of the charity's city centre offices rather than being delivered straight to the centre.
The Derby Night Shelter is clearly of huge importance to Derby's homeless population and any money which helps to make the shelter a more comfortable place to be will be gratefully received - by both the guests and the staff.
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