Each night Watford New Hope Trust houses up to 60 people who may otherwise sleep on the streets of Watford, yet there are more who need shelter, especially when the weather gets bad. For this reason, New Hope offers additional beds when the temperature is expected to drop below zero degrees centigrade for three consecutive nights as part of their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.

This year, New Hope will offer a total of nine additional beds, that’s three more than the previous year. These beds will be located in their drop-in day centre, the Haven, for the first time. Previously, additional beds were set up in the Night Shelter but these have since become permanent beds to accommodate people accessing the Transition Service, which is funded by the government’s Homelessness Transition Fund and supports people facing homelessness for the first time.

This winter has been uncommonly mild, so far, and SWEP has not yet been in operation once. However, staff are prepared to put SWEP into effect as necessary.

This service is delivered in partnership with Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council.