Each year, New Hope operates Watford’s Winter Shelter, an initiative providing additional beds to ensure that no one has to sleep rough between November and March, the most challenging months of the year. In 2023, 95 different people stayed for at least one night and over half of people who stayed ended up moving into a longer-term accommodation service.

For 2024 and beyond, we want a ‘pod’ to be installed in the outside area at the Haven as an independent pet-friendly bedspace that can be used by people who would not be able to stay in a shared bedroom such as people with significant mental health needs, people with mobility challenges, or those with pets. The pod would be functional but comfortable for people staying there, offering a bed and space for a dog to sleep as well as a power outlet to charge phones they may have. In the morning, people staying in the main shelter or pod will have access to breakfast, hot drinks, showers and laundry facilities during the regular Haven drop-in service.

During the warmer seasons when the shelter is not running, the pod will remain in use as an innovative and appealing meeting and activity space and would be ideal for one-to-one and small group activities.

Please, if you are able, consider donating to our Crowdfunder appeal to ensure that everyone, including those with dogs, have somewhere safe to sleep this winter.