St Mungo’s praise for Hackney Winter Night Shelter volunteers
It was heartening to read about the very good work Hackney Winter Night Shelter colleagues are doing to ease the plight of some of society’s most excluded people (Hackney Winter Night Shelter expects heavy New Year demand, 21 December). During these spells of arctic weather St Mungo’s will be keen to work closely with them to make sure that the people who come in to the shelters are helped to move on more permanently.
Emergency beds are a lifeline when temperatures are below zero and our hostels in Hackney have also been opening up communal spaces to help cope with demand. Hackney Winter Night Shelter and our year-round work demonstrates it’s not just about getting people off the icy streets. Once they are inside, we can start to put in place long term support: helping with their health needs, working on skills and employment and assisting with finding their own place.
With no immediate thaw in the weather or the financial situation expected, it’s marvellous that over 500 people in Hackney are prepared to give of their time in supporting this very worthy cause.
David Devoy
Regional Director North & East, St Mungo’s
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