Change in season
Last month, we packed up the Watford Winter Shelter for this year and we are now preparing for the summer months.
“Everyone was really welcoming; I was scared at first but staff helped me feel safe and security was really good.”
Running from 14th November 2024 to 17th March 2025, the Watford Winter Shelter provided vital food and accommodation to 85 individuals.
This temporary life-saving provision augmented our year-round Emergency Accommodation provision and was a humanitarian response to the colder and wetter weather, funded by Watford Borough Council.
We are grateful for the council’s proactive approach; the Watford Winter Shelter was available every night in the winter, regardless of temperature. This went above and beyond the statutory minimum, enabling us to provide a unique, exemplary service to people in desperate need.
This year we were delighted to have provision for people with pets with the addition of a glamping pod in the Haven’s garden. Thank you to everyone who helped us purchase the sleep pod through our Crowdfunder campaign!
85 people stayed in the Watford Winter Shelter, including five people in the new sleep pods.
3 dogs (one shown below!) were accommodated.
41 people moved on from the Watford Winter Shelter to other accommodation.
41 volunteers helped over 123 nights. That's 1,476 volunteer hours!
Remember, if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in Watford, please call the New Hope 24/7 line on 0300 012 0168. If it is an emergency, please call 999 or 101 (police non-emergency number) as appropriate.
Preparing for summer
Did you know the numbers of people sleeping rough in Watford are higher in the summer than in the winter?
“Rough sleeping is all-year-round. It’s amazing how many rough sleeper reports we receive in the cold weather compared to the summer when the number of people actually sleeping outdoors is likely far higher.”
As the temperatures increase and the days get longer, new challenges emerge for people with no safe place to stay. Dehydration is commonplace as access to free, clean water may be limited. Severe sunburn and heatstroke are also not uncommon as people choose short-sleeve tops or sometimes no top at all to stay cool while providing little or no protection from the sun.
How you can help people sleeping rough as the temperatures rise:
Donate summer essentials, such as small bottles of water, sun hats, sun cream (SPF 30+) and refillable water bottles
Offer water to people you see sleeping rough
Recommend people visit the Haven for food, water, showers, clothes and sun cream
Report a person's location using the Streetlink website or, if in Watford, by calling us on 0300 012 0168
If you feel like someone is in need of urgent medical care, please dial 999 and request the ambulance service.