Funding awarded to 26 night shelters

The government has awarded £3.3 million of funding to 26 night shelter across the UK, so that rough sleepers are able to access a safe place to stay and vital support to help turn their lives around.

The Night Shelter Transformation Fund, previously awarded £9.88 million in its first round in August 2022. This funded 56 organisations over three years.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan said: “Night shelters provide a vital safety net for rough sleepers to help them get off the streets and turn their lives around. I am pleased our funding is making such a difference to the lives of people like Gary, which is thanks to the life-changing work of the Dover Outreach Centre and all our partner organisations up and down the country.”

The Dover Outreach Centre has received over £150,000 to refurbish its night shelter and enable it to operate during its first year.

Gary Harland, who previously stayed at the centre after being in prison and is now back living in his hometown of Deal, said: “I was totally lost since coming out of jail and it has been a long road to recovery but the outreach centre took me off the streets and saved my life really.  

“I was born and bred in Deal and I now have a place in my hometown where I also get to see my son again. My support workers are still there for me providing after care helping me out with paperwork and keeping me on the right path. I cannot thank them enough.”

Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay