Cathedral to host homeless shelter at Christmas

The shelter, run by Catching Lives, will be held at the cathedral for one night a week

Canterbury Cathedral will host a shelter for homeless people during the festive period.

Canterbury Community Shelter, run by the charity Catching Lives, will be held at the cathedral for one night each week.

A Catching Lives spokesperson said it is "delighted" the shelter is able to go ahead this year.

The cathedral has financially supported Catching Lives for many years but a spokesperson said this is the first time it has had a suitable space that allows it to practically help those in need.

The shelter will run from 16 December 2024 to 16 March 2025 and can host up to 15 people per night.

The shelter will have heating, a kitchen and toilets and will be staffed by Catching Lives.

This will be the first time the cathedral has hosted the shelter.

Before the pandemic, it said the space wasn't available.

The cathedral spokesperson added: "This is the first year since the pandemic that we have been able to utilise this space more widely and join with Catching Lives as they relaunch this crucial project for the people of Canterbury during this Christmas season."