A HOMELESS shelter will open for 12 weeks this winter as the number of people with nowhere to call home continues to rise.
The number of households declaring themselves homeless to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has risen by 30 per cent this year.
The Reigate and Banstead Winter Night Shelter will open on December 1 and run till February 24 following a successful pilot last year, which attracted 400 volunteers and provided the equivalent of 300 nights of shelter.
More than 20 people are believed to sleep rough in the borough, plus an unknown number of "sofa surfers". Increasing need for the shelter is clear: a day drop-in centre run at the Salvation Army hall, Lower Bridge Road, Redhill, was recently extended from two days to five days per week, to cope with demand.
Shelter coordinator Ian Buckland, who also works at the drop-in, said: "Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has told us the number of homeless people registering with them has risen by 30 per cent this year and we are seeing that reflected in people at the drop-in. Numbers have risen from between 20 and 25 to 40 and 45. We are seeing new people every week. We've had great success getting them off the street, but it is increasing all the time."
Seven churches across the borough, in Redhill, Horley, Chipstead and Banstead, will take turns to host the night shelter. The drop-in at the Salvation Army hall will also be extended to provide daily daytime shelter. Probation, police and the borough council are backing the scheme.
PC Martin Savage, who works at the Integrated Offender Management Unit and helped start the pilot project last year, received a commendation for that work from Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens on Friday.
He said: "It is quite spectacular how the shelter has taken off.
"Homelessness is a problem that is going to get worse with the economic situation and changes in benefits.
"It is going to cause a lot of people a great deal of difficulty, and to have this shelter, if only for 12 weeks, gives them something. We have got the council on board this year which is great, and everybody seems to be in support. It gives an opportunity for other agencies to focus on these people for an intense period.
"Last year a number of people were helped into permanent accommodation. It can be life-changing. It gives them a start to getting back on track."
Last year Surrey Mirror readers showed generosity by donating items to help the night shelter succeed, brightening the lives of our homeless. The shelter needs your help again. On the wish list are: new, packaged men's underwear, new men's socks, new or laundered sleeping bags (with hoods), men's gloves, beanie hats, rucksacks, shampoo, men's deodorant, disposable razors, shaving foam, towels, flannels and coats. Donations can be taken to the Mirror office in Regent House, Queensway, Redhill, in office hours, or to the Salvation Army hall, Lower Bridge Road. The shelter provides an evening meal and accommodation for up to 15 people. So far 197 volunteers have registered – more are needed to cover shifts and work as "befrienders", drivers and cooks.
Visit www.rbwns.co.uk for more information.
