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Charity turning offices into winter night shelter

BBC Five people wearing pink lanyards standing outside the Northampton Hope Centre for a group photo.BBC
The Hope Centre team has been rearranging its office space to cater for 33 rough sleepers during the coldest months

A homelessness charity is turning its offices into a winter night shelter to protect the most vulnerable during the coldest months.

The Hope Centre in Northampton is in the process of reshuffling its office space, which is next to its hub in Campbell Street, to make room for 33 beds for rough sleepers from January.

Last winter the charity set up its shelter at the Queen's Grove Methodist Church, but it said it would use its own site because of "significant funding challenges".

Charity chief executive Alex Copeland said it was a "tremendous relief" the service could be provided.

"We're thrilled to have pulled off this seven-week shelter for the coldest months of the year," he said.

Rough sleeping increase

The Hope Centre provides food and clothing to rough sleepers - and helps them access support - although it does not usually provide its own accommodation.

This winter, it said it would extend its day centre hours to offer 24-7 support.

The shelter will open from 6 January and is being supported by West Northamptonshire Council.

The number of rough sleepers in west Northamptonshire has grown in recent years, according to figures released in the council's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

In a single night in June 2023, 15 people were recorded as sleeping rough, and 45 people were estimated to have slept rough across the whole month.

The council estimates that 36 people slept rough on a single night in November 2023 - an increase from 25 people in 2022, and 15 in 2021.

Martin Heath/BBC One woman dressed in black making up a bed at a church hall alongside another person dressed in an orange coat and hat. Martin Heath/BBC
Last year the winter shelter was held at a local church (pictured), but this winter the charity will have to use its own building

Jo Pritchard, the charity's head of service delivery and partnerships, said the shelter would be "lifesaving" and would prioritise those with serious health conditions.

"We've got people out there at serious risk of death if they were left out in the cold," she said.

Mr Copeland said financial donations would help the charity with staffing, heating and supplies.

Rosie Herring, the Conservative cabinet member for housing at the council, added: "It is deeply inspiring to see such determination and collaboration."

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