Earlier this month, we welcomed our Patron, Bishop Tim Dakin to the Nightshelter.
Bishop Tim was greeted by staff and volunteers before heading to the kitchen to help serve the evening meal to residents. The visit was an opportunity for the Bishop to learn how the Nightshelter has coped and adapted during the pandemic and to speak to residents about their experiences.
Bishop Tim commented: βIt was a pleasure to spend time with the Nightshelter residents, to hear about their experiences of lockdown and to help serve their evening meal. The staff and volunteers have worked exceptionally hard to open the Nightshelter 24 hours a day to support and keep the residents safe during the pandemic. It is encouraging that so many of the residents are now in work and this is a testament to the care and dedication of the staff and volunteers.β
The Nightshelter has remained open during the pandemic. The Nightshelter has ten bedrooms on site at Jewry Street as well as two additional four-bedroomed supported housing projects. Residents are given the opportunity to access a wide range of support including counselling, psychotherapy, tenancy training and job support. As soon as lockdown eased, support staff helped residents back into work with six now in employment.