Nobody turned away

Due to the recent drop in temperatures, New Hope has been able to provide nine additional bed spaces over the past eight nights for those who are sleeping rough. We are grateful to Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council who fund this provision which is known as SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol). Steve Devine, the manager of New Hope’s Rough Sleeping Prevention Service, explained: ‘Twelve different individuals have accessed these emergency beds so far and two people have been able to move on into New Hope’s supported accommodation. We have been able to provide accommodation to everyone who has requested it; nobody has been turned away.’

Due to the forecasted high winds and heavy snow fall later on this week, New Hope are working with St Mary’s Church in Watford’s town centre to run a SWEP overflow in case of additional demand. Emergency accommodation will therefore be available at St Mary’s on the nights of Thursday 1 March and Friday 2 March.  

If you would like to help people who are sleeping rough this winter, we still need thick sleeping bags. Please call Sam Weightman on 01923 227 132 or email sweightman@newhope.org.uk if you are able to help. 

Finally, if you see someone sleeping rough in Watford, please don’t hesitate to call New Hope’s 24-hour emergency helpline on 0300 012 0168 to ensure that help is made available.