Milton Keynes night shelter thanks community for coming together during pandemic ahead of concerns over winter

The Winter Night Shelter in Milton Keynes (WNSMK) has thanked the public for their support during the pandemic - but is calling for help ahead of winter and the possibility of a second wave.

Since the beginning of lockdown, the shelter has supported 140 adults, 30 children, three babies, 12 dogs and 20 cats with more than 850 food parcels and 8,500 meals.

But that could only have been made possible through the many donations of food and money - as well as help from volunteers to sort, pack, cook, deliver and help out at its centre in Unity Park Station

Kathy, WNSMK welfare manager, said: “It was amazing how the community all came together to support the homeless and vulnerably housed, this would not have been achieved without them, this was team work at its best. The challenge was ensuring that we had the right food for the children, vegetarians and those with specific needs, and then having to obtain it all.””

This work was supported by funding from MK Community Foundation, through public donations and help from Costco Milton Keynes, Waitrose, John Lewis, Haircuts4Homeless, Langar Aid MK, Naseem at Namji restaurant and Best Fruit the online greengrocer.

The Winter Night Shelter staff team are now focusing on how to support the homeless and vulnerably housed in MK during the winter ahead, working with MK Council and other partners in the sector.

Kathy added: “My concerns for the winter are if we have a second wave and what happens to the people that are not helped by the council or fall through the net. We will do all we can to ensure people aren’t left without help. I know that the people of Milton Keynes will step up and support us again if needed.”

To find out more about the Winter Night Shelter Milton Keynes and how to support their work visit here