Hereford City is not big enough to attract larger homeless charities like Shelter or Crisis but still has a significant homeless population. There are many complex reasons why someone finds themselves on the street and the churches of Hereford Diocese offer emergency and ongoing support to those in need, whatever their circumstances.
Hereford Diocese's Food Banks provide bags of food to those in urgent need and there is a network of Food Banks and Community Larders across the Diocese at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Leominster, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington, Tenbury Wells, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Bishops Castle and Telford.
Details of foodbanks across Herefordshire and Southshropshire can be found online at Give Food. In Herefordshire, Talk Communities offers advice on debt, finance and budgeting.
For more information on foodbanks please contact Mary Oxley
New Zara House Winter Shelter
This year the Council have come up with an alternative winter solution which will be operating from 13th Dec to the end of March. Access to use the accommodation will be on a first come first served basis and it is available at New Zara House on Whitecross Road from 8.30 pm until 8 am
They are still looking for some wardens to help staff it, particularly the night sessions. If you would like to support or would like further details, please contact David Wheeler
As the premises are not suitable for providing any food distribution and instead, Hereford Foodbank is helping with supplies for hot drinks and soup in the evenings and Open Door has offered to provide vouchers to give people to use to purchase a breakfast or lunch when they leave in the morning and other practical supports. If you would like to support the team you can donate to Hereford Open Door.
The Homeless Outreach Team will be working with people who use the facility to endeavour to move them into suitable accommodation wherever possible.
Hope Scott House, Hereford
This hostel provides supervised housing for ten men on the outskirts of Hereford.
An independent charity it supports people who would be rejected by most landlords because of their circumstances.
All Saints Church in Hereford
All Saints Church in Hereford is open six days a week and homeless people are welcome to spend time in the warm there.
Clergy and the church's voluntary stewards can provide details of support services available and have access to emergency funds.
They can also offer a listening ear to people who need one. You can find out more about the church here.
Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral welcomes homeless people to come inside to warm up and offers hot drinks.
Homeless people are welcome to spend time in the warm at Hereford Cathedral.
The Dean or others on duty will make hot drinks for anyone in particular need.
Volunteers from the Cathedral help as part of the Hot Food Network and lend support to the Saturday morning breakfast offered at St John's Methodist Church hall.
Other Churches in Hereford City
St Martin's in Ross Road is open every day and people are welcome to spend time there whatever their needs or none.
In Tupsley St Paul's Church is open every day from 09:00 until sunset, as is St Andrew's in Hampton Bishop.
Shropshire Council
Shropshire Council can provide advice, help and support to anyone who is rough sleeping. If you're sleeping rough or know someone who is you can contact the Housing Options team for help. To get help for anyone sleeping rough:
- Phone the Housing Options team on 0345 678 9005
- or visit Streetlink
Anyone sleeping rough is offered overnight accommodation during severe weather. This is usually when the temperature falls to zero degrees or below.
Shrewsbury Ark
The Shrewsbury Ark is a day centre for homeless people and is situated at 10 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY1 2DJ (opposite the train station). You can visit their website for more information.
Shrewsbury Ark is run by a Christian charity and based in Shrewsbury that provides food and meals, showers, washing, use of phone and address etc. but they are not able to provide accommodation.
Veteran Support
A significant number of homeless people have served in the armed forces. There is specialist support available for veterans. Many veterans are unaware of the extensive support available so it is important to identify them as veterans at the earliest opportunity.