Volunteers help rough sleepers at The Well winter shelter at Newark Baptist Chuch as joint initiative between Salvation Army and Newark and Sherwood District Council

Volunteers are still helping rough sleepers this winter, despite covid-19 restrictions.

The Well winter shelter at Newark Baptist Church was set up last winter as a joint initiative between the Salvation Army and Newark and Sherwood District Council, with the backing of Churches Together in Newark.

Hosted in the upstairs rooms of the church coffee lounge, it had accommodation for rough sleepers, open from 9.30pm to 8.30am.

It included a hot evening meal, breakfast, shower, and laundry service. Guests were also helped with finding accommodation.

Sara Brumhead of the church said: “We can’t offer this provision in 2020–21, because we have no way of preventing the transmission of covid-19. Previously guests slept in one large room with volunteers as a waking presence through the night, which would put everyone at risk in the current climate.”

But The Well is running daily drop-in sessions from Monday to Friday, 3.30pm to 5pm, for those who are sofa surfing, sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation.

There are hot drinks and a meal to take away, a laundry, clothes and shoes, a hot shower, and referrals to other help such as the emergency housing team at the council.

More volunteers are needed, to extend the sessions to weekends in December. Anyone interested should call Sara on 07803 074 228.

The Well would also welcome coffee, sugar, squash, biscuits, store cupboard ingredients and large men’s coats, boots and socks.