The night shelter reopened on Monday 3 November and operates between 8pm and 8am every day. It will remain open until 30 April (with an extension possible if weather conditions are poor) and provides a warm and dry communal space for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough, including a separate safe and private space for women rough sleepers. Last year the shelter provided emergency overnight accommodation for 71 individuals in need over 157 nights.

The service is once again being operated by CCP (Caring for Communities and People) in partnership with Herefordshire Council. The council’s Rough Sleeper Outreach team will be working with a wide range of partners to ensure appropriate support is arranged for people who access the shelter. For example, help to access shower and washing facilities and a hot meal.

Our Outreach team operates throughout the county to identify rough sleepers and encourage them to use the shelter. They also support them to register on Home Point so that they can secure more suitable accommodation as well as signpost them to other agencies who may be able to help.

Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing at Herefordshire Council, said: 

The winter night shelter is a lifeline for those in our community facing the harsh realities of rough sleeping during the colder months. It makes a meaningful difference to them by providing a safe, warm, and welcoming space and access to support and help from specialist teams. 

We remain committed to ensuring everyone in Herefordshire has access to the support they need.

The winter night shelter is based in Symonds Street, Hereford. The local authority is not required to provide such a service, but it is part of the local strategy to prevent rough sleeping wherever possible; and where it cannot be prevented to ensure that it is rare, brief and non-recurring.

For more information about the winter shelter visit our webpage.

If you are concerned about someone who is sleeping rough, or you need help yourself, please make a report via StreetLink. If someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.