About:
Making a difference in the City of Newport
During the coldest winter months, a group of Newport churches open their doors and hearts to welcome in the city’s homeless from the streets. We provide a hot supper and drinks, a warm, safe bed for the night, toiletries, breakfast in the morning, and genuine friendship.
Over and above meeting the immediate need for emergency shelter, we try to get to know our guests and tailor the support we offer to their individual needs. This commonly involves help with finding more permanent accommodation and support to overcome drug or alcohol dependence.
It may be as simple as lending a listening ear or providing clean, dry clothing.
How we Began
For some years, under the umbrella of Teen Challenge UK, a team of volunteers had been using a mobile coffee bus to connect with and care for the rough sleepers on the streets of Newport. They aimed to help them overcome drug and alcohol dependence, as well as other life controlling problems.
As the volunteers encountered the suffering on the streets (particularly through wet and cold winters), they were moved to come up with a solution. After visiting and learning from night shelters in London, the idea of opening Newport Night Shelter was born. It would be a place where the city’s rough sleepers could come and find much needed emergency accommodation, hot food, and a warm, safe place to sleep.
At any one time, there are waiting lists for the direct hostels in Newport and even in the coldest and most severe weather, it can take weeks for the homeless to find temporary or permanent shelter.
The idea was presented to local churches and organisations, and with their help Newport Night Shelter began in December 2009. Every winter since, the night shelter opens for four months, from the beginning of December through to the end of March. The project partners with 18 different churches to make this possible, they give Newport Nightshelter the use of their building and provide a team of volunteers to man the shelter. 8 churches are used for the first 2 months. A different 8 churches are used for the remaining 2 months. It has been a great success! We believe the secret to this success has been close partnership working with Churches and front line services in Newport.
Eden Gate manages Newport Night Shelter on behalf of all the churches involved.
How it works
If you are Threatened with Homelessness or are homeless the first thing you should do is to contact Newport City Council Housing Options Team at the Information Station. They will look at your situation and determine how they can help you. For more information on how Newport City Council can help you please click here.
In Newport (South Wales) there is a need for emergency accommodation for rough sleepers whilst long term solutions are being sought. The Night Shelter fills in the gap in providing safety and refuge for those who do not have the option of temporary or permanent accommodation, and continue to struggle with their cycle of homelessness and addiction. Newport Night Shelter is a project that relies on volunteers from across Newport and surrounding areas to open. Without our faithful team of volunteers, we would not be able to open. We offer a warm welcome, hot supper, bed and breakfast in a safe environment to 12 homeless guests. The shelter operates in a different church building each night of the week. In all, 16 churches and over 400 volunteers are involved over the 4-month period.
Newport Nightshelter is not a drop-in service. Everyone who accesses the shelter MUST be referred. Drop-ins will be turned away. We are able to accommodate up to 12 Guests at the shelter who will receive help and support to find permanent or temporary accommodation. Alternatively, our experienced staff will provide support to access drug & alcohol rehabilitation services either in Newport or outside the area. The registered charity Eden Gate manages the Newport Night Shelter including the referral process and training on behalf of the hosting churches.
Our referral agents:
- The Wallich (Homeless Charity)
- Solas Hostels (Albert Street & Clarence Place)
- Newport Central Police Station (Gwent Police)
- Gateway Project
- Kaleidoscope GDAS
- Newport Probation
- Newport City Council, Housing Options Team
- SEWREC
- Crisis Liaison Team (Royal Gwent or St Cadocs)
*Newport Night Shelter is exclusively for those with existing links to Newport and the local area (Please do not travel from other parts of the UK to make use of the Night Shelter).
Aims
Newport Night Shelter aims to minister to the spiritual needs as well as the emotional and physical needs of our guests. We do this by being a visible testimony of Jesus Christ, showing Love, kindness and hospitality to our guests in a non-judgemental way. We aim to achieve a calm & relaxed atmosphere where people can feel safe and welcomed.
Vision
Our vision is to offer a practical solution to the homeless problem in Newport. We will do this by continuing to develop partnerships with local Churches and Stakeholders.
Want to volunteer with us?
By becoming a volunteer at for the Nightshelter you will be helping us care for some of Newport’s most vulnerable by providing hospitality and support in a calm, relaxed environment at a designated church in Newport. As a small charity we rely heavily upon volunteers and donations. We have a fantastic team and without our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to provide a range of services and support to our guests. Volunteering not only gives you the opportunity to serve but you will also become an integral part of our team and meet a diverse range of people. For more information about volunteering with us on our Newport Nightshelter project please see the attached documentation or email us at info@edengate.org.uk:
Click here to view our Volunteer Sign Up Form
Click here to view our Volunteer Role Description – Winter Newport Nightshelter
