A WINTER shelter to aid the homeless is to run for six weeks, hoping to provide respite during the coldest periods of the year.
The shelter, which opened on Monday, is based in Uxbridge and welcomes those in need until February 26.
It is run jointly by staff from Hillingdon Council, the charity Trinity Homeless Projects and Uxbridge church groups.
The shelter has a long-term aim too; rough sleepers will be provided with a bed during their stay and advice and support to help them find alternative accomm-odation once it closes.
To date, 45 volunteers have signed up to help. Figures for the last two years show 36 people have been found accommodation as a result of visiting the shelter.
Philip Corthorne, council cabinet member for housing, said: “This shelter will provide much needed support to vulnerable people through some of the harshest months of the year and will hopefully help them get back on their feet for 2012.”
Donations for the shelter, including clothing and shopping vouchers to help provide meals, would be gratefully received, and more volunteers are needed.
To volunteer or make a donation, email housingoptions@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 250 147.
Last month, Trinity Homeless Projects opened an empty building in Uxbridge High Street that had been converted into apartments for homeless people.
