Bedford Borough Council and the King’s Arms Project are joining forces this Christmas, with their partnership to deliver the Bedford Winter Night Shelter.
The night shelter will provide up to 2,000 bed spaces, and 4,000 meals across 100 nights this winter, with the shelter opening on 2 December and remaining open throughout the colder months, until mid-March.
Guests will be provided with immediate shelter including a safe and warm place to sleep plus a nutritious meal.
There will also be opportunities to access personalised support, including skills workshops and employment coaching, with the goal of guiding them towards independence.
Bedford Borough Council is providing funding of £60,000 to help pay for staffing and other running costs.
Appeal to Bedfordians
The King’s Arms Project is appealing for the Bedford public to help with a number of volunteering routes available, whether by making donations, or by volunteering either at the shelter or as a meal maker.
There are also a number of paid roles now being advertised for three night shelter co-ordinators and an outreach support worker.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said; “This is my second year of working with the King’s Arms Project to provide this, and I couldn’t be more proud.
“The Council is currently helping 1,570 households who are either at risk of or experiencing homelessness. That ranges from providing advice and assistance, to financial support, to emergency accommodation.
“It is incredibly important that we take care we care for our most vulnerable residents in the Borough, especially at Christmas. Any of us could easily find ourselves in that same position, but we’re determined as a council to do all that we can to help.”
Kirstie Cook, Chief Executive Officer of the King’s Arms Project said; “Following the tremendous success of the Bedford Winter Night Shelter last year, the Council asked if we would be willing to provide the same service again this year.
“Knowing the positive impact the shelter had on the lives of so many because of the kindness, hospitality and generosity shown by so many from across the community we knew that the only answer was yes!
“We’ll also be working in partnership with other agencies across the town including our valued colleagues at SMART providing services at the day centre and The Hub.
“Our goals is to create lasting pathways of support, meaning there are meaningful options to prevent rough sleeping, isolation and a lack of safety for the most vulnerable in our community.
“However, none of this will be possible without your help. The shelter runs at its best with volunteers who are there because they care and want to help. The guests pick up on this and a community emerges of mutual respect, with kindness at its heart.
“We need 100 people to serve at the shelter over the 14 weeks we will be open, as well as those willing to cook and provide healthy, tasty meals.”
To find out about how to donate, volunteer, or apply for the roles, you can visit the Kings Arms Project website here.
