Your stay at the Shelter
We aim to provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere at the Shelter. To do that, we maintain some rules you’ll need to follow.
Also, our main aim is to help guests take control of their lives and get off the street for good. So we will work with you to help you get accommodation and other services. To offer this chance to as many people as possible, each person’s stay in the Shelter is limited to 28 days. Our full policy is below.
Shelter rules
To stay at the Shelter you need to be over 18 and agree to abide by the following rules which are made for the benefit of all. If you don’t abide by them, you could be banned permanently from the Shelter.
- No anti-social behaviour or bad language
At the Shelter the dignity and safety of our guests and volunteers is very important to us. If there are any doubts about whether a person might be violent, aggressive or disruptive we will not allow them into the Shelter
- No controlled drugs
As an organisation we operate a “no controlled drugs” policy. Drug usage or possession will result in a ban which may be permanent. We cannot at any time of your stay take responsibility for prescription drugs
- No alcohol on the premises
This includes any area immediately outside the church, for example, the car park
- No smoking inside the church building
Guests will be able to have a cigarette outside of the doors
- No offensive weapons
- No “coming and going” from the Shelter during Shelter hours
- No pets
The length of your stay
While you are in the Shelter, we hope you will use our help to take control of your circumstances and move into more permanent accommodation and a more sustainable lifestyle.
Most of our guests are able to move on within a reasonable period. If you are not able to do so, you will have to leave so that someone else can have chance. There is a 28-day limit on the length of your stay.
An extension may be granted in one of the following cases:
- You are within one week of moving into other accommodation
- You are a female who will be street homeless if you leave the Shelter
- You are in certain vulnerable categories that can suitably be accommodated in the Shelter
In addition, if you have no recourse to any public funds at all, after 28 days you will still be required to leave the Shelter but may be placed at the bottom of the waiting list and be re-admitted when spaces are available.