Watford's Winter Night Shelter Prepares for Opening
Vital service offers warmth, safety, and support to over 480 individuals experiencing homelessness.
By Rebecca Flint
••3 min read
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Generic image of a warm and welcoming night shelter interior, focusing on the sense of safety and respite.
Watford Borough Council and New Hope are continuing their commitment to tackling homelessness as the town's winter night shelter prepares to open its doors from 9 November 2026.
The vital service, which began as a trial in 2018, has supported over 480 people in the past eight years. Importantly, 55% of guests in the last three winters have moved on to longer-term accommodation, highlighting the shelter's role in rebuilding lives.
Operating nightly until mid-March 2027 at New Hope's Haven on Whippendell Road, the shelter accommodates up to 15 guests, including those with pets. It provides hot meals, drinks, essential supplies, washing facilities, and crucially, a warm welcome and a listening ear.
Guests receive advice and support to access housing, healthcare, and other services. Donations of clothing, toiletries, and services like haircuts help restore confidence and dignity. The shelter offers consistency, reassurance, and opportunities, combating the daily realities of violence, theft, exploitation, and health problems faced by those sleeping rough.
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"People often arrive absolutely exhausted, sometimes frightened, and feeling as though the world has forgotten about them. But after a hot meal, a shower, a friendly conversation and a proper night's sleep, you can see the difference in their faces. It's not just about giving someone a bed. It's about making them feel welcome, valued and human again. Something as simple as remembering someone's name or sitting down for a chat can mean more than you might imagine. That's what makes volunteering here so rewarding."
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"When you're sleeping rough, you're constantly on edge. You're cold, you're tired and you never really feel safe. Coming into the shelter meant I could finally relax and get some proper sleep. The volunteers didn't judge me or make me feel like I was a problem. They treated me like a person. Having someone listen, offer you a hot meal and help you work out what to do next makes a massive difference. It gave me hope that things could get better."
Watford Borough Council is also progressing plans to sell 122 Exchange Road to New Hope, which operates the adjacent Sanctuary Emergency Accommodation. Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, stated, “No one should have to face a freezing winter night without somewhere safe and warm to sleep. For eight years, our winter night shelter has offered much more than emergency accommodation. It has provided kindness, dignity and, most importantly, a pathway towards a more secure future.”
Mayor Taylor added, “Behind every number is a person whose life has been changed through the dedication of New Hope's staff, volunteers and our wider community. We’re proud of our partnership with New Hope, and our plans to support the redevelopment of 122 Exchange Road demonstrate our continued commitment to providing lasting solutions to homelessness.”
To support New Hope’s Christmas fundraising campaign, visit www.newhope.org.uk/biggive. For volunteering opportunities, visit www.newhope.org.uk/volunteer. Anyone seeing someone sleeping rough in Watford can contact New Hope's 24-hour helpline on 0300 012 0168 or report via StreetLink at www.thestreetlink.org.uk.
