CHURCHES and community groups in Wrexham are making plans to open a cold weather night shelter to support people who are sleeping rough in the town.

The Diocese of St Asaph - in partnership with the housing charity Housing Justice Cymru, Wrexham Council and other agencies - is planning a temporary night shelter which will open at different venues every night of the week between January and March.

The scheme will provide a hot meal, a warm bed, breakfast and safety for up to 10 people every night and follows a successful pilot project in March.

Sarah Wheat, The Diocese of St Asaph’s engaging officer, has been seconded to work for Housing Justice Cymru to identify suitable venues and train volunteers for the project.

She said: “Wrexham has the second highest number of homeless people in Wales, after Cardiff, and the highest number per head of population, so it’s really important that we work together to tackle this issue.

“This project is the result of partnership working between a number of local organisations and volunteers who want to be part of the solution to homelessness in Wrexham.

“We’re still looking for two more venues to participate in the project.

"We know this sort of night shelter can offer a different experience for those who are homeless.

"They get a warm welcome, hospitality and continuity – for 11 weeks they will always be able to access a bed for the night; they don’t have to wake up each morning wondering where they will sleep that night.

"This stability means they have a chance to focus on other issues and engage with agencies to help them out of homelessness.”

The Bishop of St Asaph has given his backing to the project, urging churches to open their doors this winter.

The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron said: “We are increasingly likely to encounter people who are homeless in our town centres, real individuals who have suffered the indignity of losing a place to call home, and whose lives are diminished as a result.

“We are often at a loss about what to do when confronted with individual situations, but we need to respond to this situation with urgency.

“I urge people to offer their churches and halls and step forward to volunteer, so the shelter can help as many people as possible this winter.”

The night shelter project is looking for two more church buildings to offer accommodation and further volunteers to help each night.

Volunteers will get appropriate training and support. Up to ten people will be accommodated each night, referred to the shelter by Wrexham Council.

Housing Justice Cymru is a Christian charity which works with churches to tackle homelessness and housing need.

It helps churches and community groups set up and run night shelters and supports local churches to develop housing and homelessness projects.

For further information about volunteering and supporting the Wrexham Church and Community Night Shelter Project, contact Sarah Wheat by emailling s.wheat@housingjustice.org.uk