Shelter opens for Northampton's rough sleepers as streets freeze

10 January 2024

Martin HeathBBC News, Northamptonshire

News image — Pete, who has been sleeping on the streets for a month, said the shelter was very comfortable and "you don't have to sleep with one eye open"

Martin Heath/BBC Man wearing a woolly hat sits on a camp bed drinking a hot drink — Pete, who has been sleeping on the streets for a month, said the shelter was very comfortable and "you don't have to sleep with one eye open"

A homeless man has said he is using a new winter night shelter because it means he does not have to sleep with one eye open.

The Hope Centre in Northampton has started the service at the Queen's Grove Methodist Church and believed it will "save lives".

The shelter has 27 beds and separate dormitories for men and women.

It will stay open until March with support from local businesses and individual donors.

The Hope Centre, a charity which provides support services for homeless people, said it opened the shelter because the number of rough sleepers was rising and a cold winter had been predicted.

At the moment, the shelter is only open to people who have pre-registered with the centre.

Martin Heath/BBC Entrance doors to rooms at a Victorian methodist church — The Queen's Grove Methodist Church has provided space for three dormitories, a kitchen and an office

Pete, 66, had been sleeping in a charity shop doorway but grabbed the chance of a warm bed for the night.

He said: "It's very comfortable and you don't have to look over your shoulder or sleep with one eye open."

The shelter also lets him spend time away from what he felt was the judgmental eyes of some passers-by.

"A lot of them just look down on you.

"It's usually the younger ones on student nights who say 'let's urinate on him' or whatever."

Martin Heath/BBC Woman in a raincoat arranges a blue sheet on a campbed with help from a Hope Centre staff member — Mary, who is 61, and wearing her orange raincoat, says she feels safe as she prepares her bed for the night

Mary is 61 and usually spends her nights outside a cafe.

She said the shelter was "very, very good - outside it is very cold, horrible.

"I slept very well here last night, I'm happy."

Martin Heath/BBC Man wearing a grey sweater setting up a campbed — David Kerslake, a volunteer, said helping out at the shelter and meeting the users was "very humbling"

A small team of volunteers is helping at the shelter, welcoming the users and getting them settled in.

Pete in Northampton - 60 and homeless in zero degrees - BBC Sounds

One of them, David Kerslake, said: "It makes you think feel how lucky you are, especially in this sort of weather where you go home and the heating's on and you've got all the luxuries - it's very humbling."