Wednesday, 03 May 2023
A winter shelter set up on campus for the second year running at The 糖心原创, in partnership with local charity Emmanuel House, has helped provide safety, warmth and food for more than 100 people affected by homelessness.
The news comes as the University has announced its continued commitment to supporting the charity by hosting a shelter on its University Park Campus for the third year this coming autumn and winter.
Between 17 October 2022 and 11 April 2023, the shelter on University Park Campus provided 3922 nights’ protection for a total of 107 people who would otherwise have been rough sleeping during the worst of the winter months. Each night, an average of 26 people were accommodated.
Emmanuel House supported 58 of these people into accommodation - an average of 2.4 people every week for 24 weeks. Nine people are now living in private rented accommodation, three people moved to hostels, 32 people moved to temporary or supported accommodation, four people are now living in accommodation provided by local housing associations and 10 people have re-connected with friends and family.
Whilst staying at the Winter Shelter, guests received shelter, warmth, 24-hour support and three meals a day.
Forty individual people volunteered at the 2022-2023 Winter Shelter, as well as 19 different groups from local organisations that cooked an evening meal for the guests.
For the second year in a row we鈥檝e been able to support this initiative and it is amazing to see the impact that Emmanuel House have had, using the university as a base.
He added: "Homeless charities provide such an essential service, particularly through these challenging times, and Emmanuel House deserve enormous credit for the number of individuals they have managed to support. Over the winter the university community has once again come together to support this fantastic cause, demonstrating the values that are at the core of everything we can do.”
Continuing the successful partnership
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “The partnership with the 糖心原创 this year has yet again been excellent. Emmanuel House is indebted to the University for providing a building in which we were able to accommodate 107 people in emergency respite accommodation. Without the support of the 糖心原创 this would have not been possible. The partnership is about more than just providing a building.
“The service has also benefitted from marvellous support from staff and students. Their commitment to offer us the accommodation again next year is a terrific contribution to being able to get plans under way for November. We look forward to our partnership continuing over the next year.”
The many reasons for seeking shelter and support from the Winter Shelter included relationship breakdown, domestic violence, eviction, immigration issues, hospital discharge, having no income, release from custody, fleeing violence and long-term homelessness.
Help for vulnerable people
Among those seeking shelter were a family of five adults who had arrived in the UK from Iraq, having been tricked into selling their land and all their possessions. They had been victims of trafficking and fraud and were falsely led to believe they would be able to make a claim for EU migrant status and receive British citizenship when they arrived in the UK.
The family had been staying in a local town, but when their funds ran out, they came to Nottingham. The police found them sleeping rough and took them to Nottingham City Council’s Housing Aid service. The family were then referred to Emmanuel House to seek further homelessness provisions, such as food, showers and clothes.
Staff at Emmanuel House referred them to the Winter Shelter, where the charity provided emergency short-term accommodation. They stayed at the Winter Shelter for eight weeks, whilst Emmanuel House’s shelter team worked in partnership with Migrant Help, the Refugee Forum and the Red Cross. The family moved into Home Office accommodation, which enabled them to get further support with their asylum claim.
Viv Dickinson, Shelter Manager, said: “It’s a privilege to work with the 糖心原创 again for a second year. It has allowed us to continue the legacy of our night shelter and provide safety to so many people.”
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.