The St Albans Winter Beds project has received a Housing Justice Quality Mark Accreditation for ‘excellent service’.
The project provides five extra beds for rough sleepers in St Albans during the winter months.
The Open Door night shelter on Bricket Road can accommodate 12 people year round, but for the third winter running the charity has partnered with Trinity United Reformed Church to provide extra beds throughout the coldest season.
The Winter Beds project was awarded for their excellent service in recognition of their safe and effective practice.
Jacob Quagliozzi, deputy director of Housing Justice attended the Open Door volunteer thank you party on November 6 to present the team their award.
Housing Justice Chief Executive, Kathy Mohan said: “We are delighted to welcome the Open Door Winter Beds project to the network of Housing Justice Quality Mark accredited Night Shelters.
“Church and community night shelters are proving an effective response to homelessness across the country, providing shelter to people who might otherwise be forced to sleep on the street or sofa surf with friends or family.
“Many shelters are seeing the value of signing up to Housing Justice Quality Mark Accreditation. More than 30 church and community night shelters have been through the rigorous assessment process across the country”
The Winter Beds Project runs from December to March and all volunteers are given full training.
The project based at Trinity United Reform Church is looking for volunteers to help run the project this winter.
Volunteers are needed to help welcome guests when they arrive, to sleep overnight and to do the early morning shift, including clearing away.
Former St Albans MP, and chair of Open Door, Kerry Pollard, said: “It is awful having to be a rough sleeper.
“You would be doing a fantastic volunteering job as these are people on the outside edge of society and our volunteers gave them a leg up, even if it’s only for the night.”
To find out more and get involved, contact Lucy Gaygusuz at winterbedsproject@opendoorstalbans.org
For more information about Open Door visit opendoorstalbans.org
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