Night shelter returns to support rough sleepers

People accessing the service will receive refreshments and a bed for the night

An overnight night shelter for rough sleepers to access during the winter months is set to reopen in Mansfield for the first time in five years.

The hub, which will run at The Stanhope Centre in Rock Valley, will be operated by the Crossroads Trust charity from Monday.

Service users will be able to access communal overnight accommodation and benefit from drug, alcohol, mental health and housing support.

Lesley Spowage, the trust's senior support worker and night shelter co-ordinator, said the shelter would offer a lifeline for vulnerable people this Christmas.

The service will be funded by Mansfield District Council and be able to accommodate between 12 and 15 people between 20:00 and 08:00 each night.

'Drinks and clothing'

Mrs Spowage said: "We will be doing what we can to make as many people off the streets overnight during the winter months.

"People come in have a meal and sleep overnight, then leave the following morning.

"The shelter will also give a central place for other services to be able to get involved with rough sleepers."

The trust said the council was covering the cost of the premises, beds and staffing, but refreshments, food and clothing would need to be donated.

Covid restrictions introduced in March 2020 led to the hub previously closing.

The reopened service will run until the end of March, with the potential to extend provision beyond then depending on the weather at that time.

"We want to serve drinks and refreshments in the evenings and mornings, and provide dry clothing for people as some will arrive wet through. All of that has to be donated to us," Mrs Spowage said.

"When the council came to us about this, we were really excited because this is the service we've always wanted to provide."