A record 750 volunteers will run a night shelter to house homeless people over the winter. The Hackney Winter Night Shelter (HWNS), a non-profit aid group for the homeless, reopened its doors this week.
The HWNS has seen a substantial increase in unpaid help since last year.
The shelter, run by the Hackney Doorways charity and Hackney churches, will accommodate up to 25 people a night until March next year. Volunteers will provide a hot meal and bed for guests in seven different churches, changing each day, from November to December and January to March.
“We now have three generations of families volunteering,” the charity said.
“The shelter is attracting a large contribution from all communities.”
Aid workers from London-based homelessness charity Thames Reach will help guests find longer term accommodation and support for various health and addiction problems.
HWNS voluntary coordinator John Peebles, who worked with the charity last year, talked of the “friendship and community” of the shelter, even after guests found permanent homes.
“One thing that struck me was the regularity of visits from guests who had settled into their own places. On our final evening there were a number of folk who came in to just say another ‘Thank you’ before the shelter closed”
“I don’t think they were just looking for a free meal,” he added.
Volunteer Dina Amina described running the shelter as an “eye opener”.
“I will never again walk past a betting shop and shake my head at the same people there day after day”
“I have learnt from the guests that they go there in the day to keep warm,” she said.
The charity accepts no local authority funding so relies entirely on donations from the public, trusts and foundations and various corporations. To make a donation, or for more information please visit www.hwns.org.uk.
