King’s Lynn Night Shelter will reopen this October after securing vital funding support from charitable trusts and the local community.
The charity announced earlier this year that it would close for the summer in order to focus on fundraising after a difficult financial period. Following a successful campaign, the Night Shelter has now confirmed that it will resume providing emergency supported accommodation for adults experiencing homelessness across West Norfolk.
Funding from a number of organisations, including the Anne French Memorial Trust, administered by the Bishop of Norwich, and a further three-year grant from the Mercers’ Charitable Foundation, together with local fundraising efforts, has enabled the charity to move forward with confidence and prepare for its autumn reopening.
Lucy McKitterick, Director, said:
“We are so grateful to the individuals and organisations whose generosity and hard work over the last few months has made the future of the Night Shelter possible again. The Night Shelter is an essential service in our community: between October last year and the day we closed on 1st July, 67 people came to stay with us, all of whom had nowhere else safe to stay. They were the first to tell us that we need to do everything we could to make sure we reopened this autumn, not just for the accommodation and practical help we provide, but also because the Night Shelter is a place which matters to them, where they tell us they felt welcome, safe, and able to talk about what has happened in their past and look forward to the future with hope. I’ve been told several times by former guests in the last few weeks that if they win the lottery they’ll be sure to give it to us – and they meant it!
This week’s news is an answer to prayer, as well as a witness to the commitment and hope of a great many people, and the kindness of everyone who has donated to our work. It is good news, but it isn’t the end of our fundraising – we will need to continue working hard over the next year to build up our reserves so that the Night Shelter’s future remains assured. We warmly welcome community support, and we look forward meanwhile to a great year ahead!”
The reopening marks an important step for a service that provides accommodation and support for people facing homelessness in West Norfolk. Guests can access up to three months of accommodation alongside practical help to address the issues contributing to their homelessness and move towards longer-term housing solutions.
Nick Coleman, Chair of Trustees, said:
“I am delighted that the Trustees have been able to make this decision. It is in no small thanks to the hard work of all those involved in raising the necessary sums to enable us to reopen and continue our great work helping those in our community who require assistance. The Trustees thank the Director and all those who work with her, the staff, the volunteers and those who donate so generously.”
The charity will also be inviting the public to learn more about its work before reopening. St John’s House will be open for Heritage Open Day on Sunday 13 September, giving visitors an opportunity to look around the building and find out more about the Night Shelter’s ministry and community impact.
A sponsored Sleep Out for the Night Shelter will take place at King’s Lynn Minster on Friday 25 September with the Bishop of Lynn. The event is open to adults aged 18 and over.
King’s Lynn Night Shelter receives no local or national government funding and relies on grants, donations and community support to sustain its work.
For further information, visit www.klnightshelter.org.uk
Photo credit: King’s Lynn Night Shelter