With temperatures dropping, next week will see the Winter Night Shelters open their doors for the twelfth consecutive year.
Community support provides vital emergency beds for people who would otherwise face sleeping outside in the new city during the coldest months of the year, and UnityMK is calling on the community to get involved in supporting the project.
National figures show that a record 1,611 people died while experiencing homelessness in 2024, which UnityMK says highlights the importance of community-led efforts like the Winter Night Shelter, which provides people with warmth, safety, and kindness when it is needed most.
“Just a few hours of your time each week can make an incredible difference,” said Rob Wilford, operations manager at UnityMK. “Every volunteer helps us create a welcoming, safe space for people who might otherwise be out on the streets alone. Since the charity began, we’ve provided over 23,000 emergency beds.”
Volunteer opportunities include Night Duty Volunteer, Weekend Morning Locker Attendant and Weekend Early Morning Reception Volunteer.
A small number of people are also needed to join venue leadership teams to ensure smooth running.
If you would like to support this vital work, visit: https://www.unitymk.org/donate or contact fundraising@unitymk.org
