New Hope and the council are continuing their commitment to tackling homelessness, as Watford's winter night shelter prepares to open its doors once again, offering warmth, safety and lifeline...
What began as a trial in 2018 has grown into a vital service that has helped change hundreds of lives. Over the past eight years, the winter night shelter, has supported more than 480 people, providing many nights of safe accommodation.
Importantly, 55% of people who have stayed at the shelter in the last three winters have moved on to longer-term alternative accommodation, demonstrating how a safe place to sleep can become the first step towards rebuilding a life.
This winter, the shelter will open every night from 9 November 2026 to mid- March 2027, regardless of the temperature, at New Hope's Haven on Whippendell Road.
With space for up to 15 guests, including people with pets, the shelter provides much more than a bed for the night. Staff and trained volunteers offer hot meals, drinks, clean socks and gloves, washing facilities, essential supplies and, perhaps most importantly, a warm welcome and someone to talk to.
Every guest is also offered advice and support to help them move forward, including connections to housing, healthcare and other essential services. Donations of clothing, toiletries and other everyday necessities, alongside services such as haircuts, can help restore confidence, dignity and a sense of normality. It also provides consistency, reassurance and opportunities.
For people experiencing homelessness, the dangers of sleeping rough go far beyond the cold. Violence, theft, exploitation and serious health problems are daily realities, while increasingly unpredictable weather, including extreme heat and freezing temperatures, as well as a wet winter, poses additional risks. Under Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) arrangements, additional measures can be taken to protect people sleeping rough during dangerous weather conditions.
A volunteer at New Hope's winter night shelter said: "People often arrive absolutely exhausted, sometimes frightened, and feeling as though the world has forgotten about them. But after a hot meal, a shower, a friendly conversation and a proper night's sleep, you can see the difference in their faces.
"It's not just about giving someone a bed. It's about making them feel welcome, valued and human again. Something as simple as remembering someone's name or sitting down for a chat can mean more than you might imagine. That's what makes volunteering here so rewarding."
A former shelter guest, who has since moved into longer-term accommodation, said: "When you're sleeping rough, you're constantly on edge. You're cold, you're tired and you never really feel safe. Coming into the shelter meant I could finally relax and get some proper sleep.
"The volunteers didn't judge me or make me feel like I was a problem. They treated me like a person. Having someone listen, offer you a hot meal and help you work out what to do next makes a massive difference. It gave me hope that things could get better."
Alongside the winter shelter, Watford Borough Council is taking further steps to strengthen homelessness support in the town. The council is progressing plans to sell 122 Exchange Road to New Hope, which already operates the Sanctuary Emergency Accommodation next door at 124 Exchange Road.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: "No one should have to face a freezing winter night without somewhere safe and warm to sleep. For eight years, our winter night shelter has offered much more than emergency accommodation. It has provided kindness, dignity and, most importantly, a pathway towards a more secure future.
“Behind every number is a person whose life has been changed through the dedication of New Hope's staff, volunteers and our wider community. We’re proud of our partnership with New Hope, and our plans to support the redevelopment of 122 Exchange Road demonstrate our continued commitment to providing lasting solutions to homelessness.”
To find out more and support New Hope’s Christmas fundraising campaign, visit www.newhope.org.uk/biggive. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit www.newhope.org.uk/volunteer. If you see someone sleeping rough in Watford, please contact New Hope's 24-hour helpline on 0300 012 0168 or report their location through StreetLink at www.thestreetlink.org.uk.
