Winter shelter now open to help local homeless people

Transform Housing & Support has opened a winter shelter for homeless people from Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

Transform has launched the winter shelter to help people who would otherwise be sleeping rough in the area. It will operate during the coldest and wettest months of the year, running until the end of March.

The shelter in Hersham will help up to seven homeless men and up to two homeless women. Each person will be given a bed for the night, hot drinks and a hot meal in the evening and a breakfast in the morning. The project will help local people who might otherwise be sleeping on the streets, in shop doorways, or in a tent or a car.

The shelter is open to single homeless people with a connection to Elmbridge, Runnymede or Spelthorne. The project operates by referral only, with people being assessed off-site and booked in during the day. People cannot be accepted at the shelter if they turn up without a place booked.

Potential applicants can be referred for assessment by contacting one of the following local agencies:

  • Elmbridge Borough Council: 01372 474590

  • Elmbridge Rentstart: 01372 477167

  • Runnymede Borough Council: 01932 425831

  • Runnymede Rentstart: 01932 827187

  • Spelthorne Borough Council: 01784 446383

  • Spelthorne Rentstart: 01784 446422

Paul Mitchell, Chief Executive of Transform Housing & Support, said:

“The winter shelter will give homeless people a warm and dry place to stay during the coldest and wettest months of the year. We are very grateful to all the partners who are working with us on the project, our fantastic volunteers and staff, and the many local people and organisations who have donated to this project. We still need to raise £4,000 towards the costs of running the shelter over the next three months and would be very grateful for any donations towards this.”

Transform is working with Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne Borough Councils, and the Rentstarts from the three boroughs. Significant funding is being provided by Walton Charity and the shelter premises has been provided by Whiteley Village. Support has already been received from several local churches, community groups and charities, as well as many individuals.

We ran a winter shelter from January to March 2014 for homeless people in Elmbridge. The shelter helped three to five people each night, with 218 bed nights occupied in total during the project.

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