Colchester night shelter’s new premises will help people find a home

Colchester Night Shelter will use the building, which neighbours its base in Alexandra Road, to house up to four people who are ready to take the next step towards independent living.

The residents will be supported for up to six months at the new premises as they are guided through the process of securing employment and saving for a deposit for permanent housing.

The charity, which has helped the homeless in Colchester since 1984, completed the purchase of the new premises at the end of September with the support of Nat West bank.

From April 2018 until March this year, the shelter admitted 172 people and offered 5,803 bed nights.

The charity has come face to face with a growing issue of people struggling with the rollout of the Universal Credit benefits system.

In a report to fellow trustees, Marina Woodrow said: “The work we have done with our residents during this year has not altered in the respect of the support needs that people arrive with and the work we do to help them.

“But there has been an increase in the number of individuals finding themselves in a predicament with their benefits and the newly rolled out Universal Credit. We are now in a full service area and this has come with its fair share of complications, frustrations and occasionally triumphs.

“Getting to grips with the benefits system is not an easy endeavour, even for staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“For a resident in a state of limbo with varying support needs it is an almost impossible task and beyond comprehension.”

It is hoped with its new move-on accommodation, the shelter can more effectively help struggling people achieve financial and domestic independence.

Richard Waterman and Alan Green, of the William of Colchester Lodge of Freemasons, attended the opening of the new premises to hand over a cheque for £1,000.

The building was officially opened by Colchester mayor and mayoress Nick and Elizabeth Cope.