Winter shelter sees highest demand in years

3 hours ago

Andrea Pluckand

Kate Bradbrook,in Northampton

News image — Joanne Pritchard, the charity's chief executive, said rising demand was down to the cost of living crisis and unaffordable housing

Kate Bradbrook/BBC Joanne Pritchard is standing outside the Hope Centre’s day facility on a wet pavement, with the curved glass frontage of the building visible behind them. The entrance doors, noticeboards and interior lights can be seen through the windows, where people are gathered inside the warm space. The person is dressed in a winter coat suitable for the cold, rainy weather, and the surroundings include a small seating area and the brickwork of nearby buildings, reflecting the busy, urban setting of the support hub. — Joanne Pritchard, the charity's chief executive, said rising demand was down to the cost of living crisis and unaffordable housing

A winter night shelter said it was facing its highest pressure in years despite moving to a bigger venue to cope with demand.

Northampton Hope Centre moved its shelter from its office space to The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to provide more beds for people sleeping rough.

The new venue has enough space for up to 45 beds, but by the end of next week, the charity expects up to 75 people to come seeking help each day.

Joanne Pritchard, the charity's chief executive, said it was "sad" that people could be turned away if the shelter reached full capacity.

The Hope Centre expanded the service, which is jointly funded by West Northamptonshire Council, after the previous space could no longer meet growing demand.

There is a separate 27-bed facility at St John's House in Northampton.

Night shelter guests can also use the charity's day centre at Oasis House, where they can access hot meals, showers and support.

Pritchard said more people were seeking help due to the cost of living crisis, unaffordable housing and increased pressures on mental health.

Twenty-four people were already using the night shelter, she said.

"We're still not going to accommodate everybody. The staff here are working long hours and it's a hard job to do when you're dealing with 75 people who are in crisis and you've got no answers for them at the moment."

Kate Bradbrook/ BBC A person stands inside a brightly lit room at the Hope Centre’s day facility, wearing a dark coat. Behind them, tall stacks of colourful plastic crates are arranged against the wall, alongside white partition panels and windows looking into adjoining rooms. Fluorescent ceiling lights and vibrant interior colours create a busy, functional setting typical of a community support space. — Damian Hadlow said the chance to make friends with people at the shelter and day centre was building his confidence

Damian Hadlow, who uses both the night shelter and day centre, said the charity had kept him "off the streets" and was supporting him to secure long-term housing.

"If I didn't have the night shelter, I really don't know where I'd be without it," he said.

"I know my health would have got a whole lot worse than it is if I stayed out there [on the streets], but since I've got into the shelter, my health's becoming a lot better, my mental health as well.

"I just love coming to this place."

The 25-year-old said the charity's services had helped him build confidence and improve his mental health.

"It's helping a lot with my anxiety; meeting new people, meeting new staff, and it's helping me to communicate with a lot more other people outside of this place," he explained.

"It's taken a lot of pressure from [my] depression as well."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC Sean is pictured standing inside a large church hall that has been converted into a winter night shelter. Rows of grey fold‑out camp beds, each topped with a pillow and neatly arranged across the wooden floor, fill the room. Behind them, a stage with deep red curtains runs along one side of the hall, and personal belongings can be seen placed on benches around the edge of the space. The high ceiling, exposed beams and brick walls give the room a community‑hall feel, while the lighting above illuminates the scale of the operation set up to support people sleeping rough. — Sean Tracey, a case worker, said social pressures were pushing more people into crisis

According to the charity, more women have relied on its services this year - up 15% year-on-year and more younger people are also seeking help.

Sean Tracey, the charity's case worker, said social pressures were putting more people into crisis.

"Drug use has probably escalated and continues to escalate," he said.

"People can easily fall out with families and wind up on the street, and over the winter months this [church] is somewhere where people can be safe; they can be warm."

The charity's aim was to help people move into permanent housing by the end of the winter period, Tracey explained.

"It's a basic for people that they have a place they can call home," he said.

Despite struggling to meet demand, Damon Boughen, head of grants and trusts, said the charity was "really grateful" to have space for more than 40 people at the church.

"The fact we have this bigger space and we can offer somebody some dignity back in their life - and they can have a warm place to sleep at night - means a whole world of difference to us," said Boughen.

The winter night shelter will continue to operate until March.

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