Churches have a long tradition of helping those in need, and so it is no surprise that many churches open their doors to provide shelter to homeless people every winter.
Every shelter project is unique and there are many different variations of them. Most run during the winter months, anytime from November to the end of March. Many will open for a set period during this time, whilst others operate for the full five months. Some churches run night shelters as part of a wider, cold weather scheme with other churches and charitable organisations in their area. Here, they work together on a rota basis to provide a warm and safe bed for the night.
In many shelters, churches offer more than this providing a range of other support services.
Whatever the shelter project, it is essential that steps are taken to make sure they remain safe places for both those in need and those who run them. Our guide provides the information you need to meet your legal requirements and help you keep people safe.