Churches to open as Night Shelters after Christmas

Churches across Wrexham will be opening their doors to people sleeping rough in the town after Christmas.

Seven buildings across the town are part of the Cold Weather Church and Community Night Shelter Project which will see up to ten people offered a warm welcome, a hot meal and a safe bed for the night from Monday 30 December.

The project run by Housing Justice Cymru and supported by the Diocese of St Asaph, is being run in partnership with Wrexham Borough Council and other agencies working with those who are homeless in the town.

The project co-ordinator in Wrexham, Sarah Wheat said: “While many people will still be deep in their festive celebrations, we’ll be opening the shelter ready to welcome guests from Monday 30 December.  We will then be open every night for ten weeks, which will hopefully cover the coldest times of the year.

“We know from last year’s project what a difference this style of night shelter can make to people’s lives.  Not only do we offer food, warmth and shelter, our volunteers also build friendships with the guests, offering them a listening ear, a friendly chat, regular games of cards and a space to relax.

“This works both ways.  Our guests change the lives of volunteers too and the impact can be profound.

“We are looking forward to meeting the people we will welcome as guests for the winter.”

Wrexham has the second highest number of people sleeping rough in Wales, and the highest per head of the population.

This is the third year that Housing Justice Cymru has opened a night shelter in Wrexham.

To make a financial donation to the project, please email Sarah Wheat: wrexham@housingjustice.org.uk or to find out more about the project, visit  https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/faith-in-action/tackling-homelessness/