Larkhaven’s winter night shelter will open a month earlier than usual this year, on Sunday 1 November 2026. The shelter at Ropewalk Hall on Ropewalk Lane, Quayside, will provide 40 beds, an evening meal and breakfast every night until 31 March 2027.
It’s run by the council with Harbourlight, a local homelessness charity. In previous years the shelter has opened on 1 December, but our outreach team has seen more people sleeping rough this year: 23 people on a single night in July, compared with 17 a year earlier.
How the shelter works
- It’s open every night from 19:00 to 08:00.
- Most guests are referred by our outreach team or Housing Options team, but staff will help anyone who comes to the door. If the shelter is full, they’ll find somewhere else safe to stay.
- There are showers, laundry facilities and storage for belongings, and dogs are welcome.
- A nurse runs a health clinic every Tuesday evening.
- Every guest has a support worker to help them find a home, sort out benefits and get into work or training.
Extra beds in freezing weather
Whenever the temperature is forecast to fall to zero or below, we’ll open up to 15 extra emergency beds, whatever the date, so that nobody has to sleep outside in freezing weather.
Nobody should have to spend a winter night on the streets. Opening a month earlier means we can reach people sooner and help them move on from the shelter into a settled home.
Grace Mensah, Head of Housing Options
If you’re worried about someone
- If you see someone sleeping rough, call Housing Options on 01632 960 000, Monday to Friday 08:30–17:30. Tell us where and when you saw them.
- If someone is homeless tonight and it’s outside office hours, call our out-of-hours emergency line on 01632 960 999.
- If you think someone is in immediate danger or needs medical help, contact the emergency services.
How you can help
The shelter needs warm coats, sleeping bags, and new socks and underwear. You can drop donations at the customer service desk at City Hall during opening hours. To volunteer, email housing@larkhaven.example.
Find out more about help with housing.
