It’s time to help Bedford’s homeless this winter as call goes out for volunteers

As temperatures drop, King’s Arms Project (KAP) is calling on the Bedford community to come together in supporting some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

The Bedford Winter Night Shelter, run by KAP in partnership with Bedford Borough Council, will open its doors today (December 2) until March 11, 2025. This crucial initiative aims to provide 2,000 bed spaces and 4,000 meals to those experiencing homelessness, and KAP urgently needs volunteers and donations to make this service possible.

Beyond Shelter

This winter, King’s Arms Project is expanding its efforts to offer more than just a bed. Through partnerships with local agencies like SMART and The Hub, the shelter will provide wrap-around support, including nursing, podiatry, hair care, and citizen advice services.

Kirstie Cook, CEO of King’s Arms Project, highlights the importance of this extended support: "The Winter Night Shelter is about much more than a place to sleep. It’s about restoring dignity and creating pathways toward a better future. With the community’s help, we can give guests not only a safe place for tonight but also hope for tomorrow.”

How the Community Can Help

To sustain the shelter, King’s Arms Project is seeking 100 local volunteers to lend their time especially, but not exclusively, for over weekends'. You could serve food, and provide companionship to guests, contributing to a positive and supportive environment.

Reflecting on last year’s efforts, one volunteer noted: “It changed me. Meeting the guests and seeing the resilience of our community left me grateful and proud.”

For those unable to volunteer, donations are equally crucial. Every contribution goes directly toward expanding outreach, covering meal costs, and enhancing essential services. Even a small donation makes a big impact:

• £24 covers a bed and wrap-around support for one night.
• £63 funds a month of skill-building sessions for guests.
• £130 helps support a guest’s transition into long-term housing.

Together, Bedford Can Give Its Homeless Residents a Home for Tonight and Hope for Tomorrow

The Bedford Winter Night Shelter is more than a roof over someone’s head; it’s a community of care, warmth, and respect. King’s Arms Project is inviting the people of Bedford to join in supporting this vital service, ensuring that no one in the community faces winter alone.

For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit kingsarmsproject.org/wns