WINCHESTER Churches Nightshelter is celebrating 20 years in it current home in the city centre.

The 17-bed homeless shelter, open 365 days a year, first opened its doors on September 14, 1997, welcoming residents into the renovated former library store by the car park in Jewry Street.

Founded in 1988, the Winchester Churches Nightshelter initially operated in church halls and vacant buildings around Winchester, including the pub that is now Bishop on the Bridge, before moving into its dedicated home nine years later.

Prior to becoming a Nightshelter, the building on Jewry Street was used as a Victorian gasworks, a bakery, a co-operative dairy, a printing works and finally as a library store, before being completely gutted and refitted to provide a permanent shelter for the homeless on the ground floor, and ten low-cost studio flats above.

Michele Price, the Nightshelter manager, said: “Over the last 20 years the Nightshelter has grown and evolved enormously. As the reality of homelessness has changed and become more complex over time, so have the needs of our residents and the way we respond to them.

“From offering a basic level of food and accommodation two decades ago, today we are an almost 24/7 service providing a wide-range of vital support options to our residents, from counselling, advocacy and financial advice, to cookery and nutrition workshops, IT and employment skills - even wellbeing and yoga sessions.

“We also work together with more local people, businesses and partner organisations than ever before to alleviate homelessness, enabling us to continually improve our services and offer a greater level of support.”

She continued: “The Nightshelter has always relied on the kindness and generosity of volunteers, and that’s one thing that has never changed. We can still only open our doors at night because of our wonderful volunteer team. We would like to thank all our supporters over the years for their dedication in helping us support those suffering from homelessness, and look forward to continuing our vital work together in the future.”