Network Homes makes donation to support local homeless shelter

Network Homes has donated £2,500 to Bishop’s Stortford Night Shelter at the Holy Trinity Church in South Street to support plans to make it a sustainable facility for local homeless people in the winter months.

We are also committed to working with the shelter to explore the viability of a permanent facility.

The project has been running for over three years with around 100 volunteers helping Reverend Mandy Brown run the shelter from November to March, the coldest months of the year. Volunteers provide support for homeless locals and fundraise to meet costs such as heating and lighting.

Our donation will go towards improving the services provided by the shelter during the winter months, which is simply a church hall with 12 camp beds for those in need and an adjoining annexe for two volunteers to sleep over.

David Gooch, the newly appointed Executive Director of Development at Network Homes who visited the church hall with Councillor Eric Buckmaster, said:

“It was certainly a humbling experience. We were shown the set up of the hall and learned how an army of 100 volunteers have been running the shelter throughout the winter. Councillor Buckmaster and I were both very impressed by the work the night shelter does. As a housing association we are committed to tackling homelessness so this is a cause very close to our hearts.”

Network Homes offered more than I ever expected. The donation will help us to provide an improved service to our users. Donations such as these are important to help keep the shelter growing successfully.

Reverend Mandy Brown