This year, the university will once again be working with local homelessness charity, Emmanuel House, to re-open its Winter Shelter on University Park campus.

From Monday 9 October 2023, the charity will be offering short-term emergency accommodation for up to 27 people every night for 26 weeks until April 2024.

24-hour support will be provided in a university building, ensuring there are fewer people sleeping on the streets of Nottingham during the coldest months of the year.

Ashley Roberts, Head of Campus Services at the university, is leading the project. He said: “This is the third year we’ve hosted the Winter Shelter on campus and as ever it’s great to be able to partner with Emmanuel House on such a worthwhile initiative. The services that the charity provides are invaluable and we’re pleased to be able to support our local community in any way we can.”

The Winter Shelter meets people’s basic human needs – guests have access to washing facilities, three nutritious meals a day and access to continuous and consistent support. This 24-hour wrap-around care is essential for helping people out of homelessness as it allows support work to continue during the day as guests are helped to find work and long-term accommodation and access other services.

Last year’s Winter Shelter, which was open between 17 October 2022 and 10 April 2023, provided 3,922 nights’ protection for a total of 107 people who would otherwise have been rough sleeping. Emmanuel House supported 58 of these people into accommodation.

Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “The Winter Shelter is an integral service in the additional winter provision for people vulnerable to rough sleeping in Nottingham. We are aware that the cost of living and increase in the cost of accommodation are contributing to a rise in the number of people presenting as homeless. We are hopeful that based on last year’s figures we will be able to support more than fifty percent of people who used the shelter into accommodation solutions.”

Could you help to volunteer?

Emmanuel House is currently looking for volunteers to support the Winter Shelter. The volunteer sessions involve a range of activities, including breakfast service, cooking and serving an evening meal, and activities. Shifts are available Monday – Sunday from morning to evening.

The Winter Shelter is also looking for full-time and part-time support staff. Sessional or contract work is available.

If you would like to donate non-perishable food, sleeping bags or clothes to the Winter Shelter, all details can be found on the website.

Information on volunteering, job vacancies and fundraising can be found on the Emmanuel House website.