Night shelter chief looks to new normal

The new manager of Swindon Night Shelter is looking forward to opening up more fully.

Ian McCarthy is leading the shelter's efforts to support those who are homeless, sleeping rough or vulnerably housed throughout the town.

Mr McCarthy, who lives with his family in North Swindon, took on the role of manager of the charity in the middle of the pandemic this year.

It was a time when staff, volunteers and supporters had to flex their services to support the vulnerable in the community – mainly through the delivery of donated fresh food produce and allowing a reduced number of homeless guests into the day centre, The Haven. 

Now Swindon Night Shelter, and in particular The Haven on Queen’s Drive, is looking forward to supporting more people as restrictions ease. 

Mr McCarthy said: “This is an exciting time for me, staff and our volunteers as we look to offer more support to those who need us in Swindon.

"We are hoping to reconnect with guests who we’ve been unable to see during lockdown and also to support those who we have yet to meet or who are in housing difficulty now.

“We’ve already started classes in cookery, woodworking and gardening and we want to offer more of these activities this summer, supporting more people.  These activities also help with the maintenance of our buildings as well as offering skills to our guests. It’s amazing what comes from these classes when guests rediscover a former passion for cookery, for example – or they start to gain confidence from something as simple as gardening.

“We are also busy rebuilding our acquaintance with other organisations and agencies who supported our guests before the pandemic. We are hoping to reopen our Friday Night Shelter at St Mary’s Church, probably in September. 

"Once open, rough sleepers can come along for a bed for the night, have a hot meal and pick up some clothes in an atmosphere of respect.”

After a 30-year career working in the training division for Nat West, Mr McCarthy took redundancy in search of a new challenge in early 2020. As a committed Christian, he volunteered for the Swindon Night Shelter whilst looking for his next role. 

“I was keen to explore new areas of employment and a new challenge preferably supporting the local community and Swindon Night Shelter offered all this and so much more," he said.

"I started volunteering at the beginning of 2020 and really enjoyed the challenge of working with our guests, hearing their life stories and then being able to try and offer some practical support moving forward.   

“Incredibly, part way through lockdown in 2020 an opportunity came about to become a full-time member of staff – and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed it.               

“I’m excited, optimistic and realistic about the difference we can make to those in Swindon who find themselves homeless or under threat of homelessness.”

Swindon Night Shelter's Haven Day Centre on Queen’s Drive is open daily for homeless and vulnerably housed people.  

It is a place where they can relax and spend some time off the streets in a welcoming and safe environment. They are also supported with job searches, benefit queries and access to other professional agencies as well as enjoying a hot meal and access to shower facilities and washer-driers for their clothes.  

The organisation supplies surplus food to over 200 people each week.

The work of Swindon Night Shelter is reliant on raising funds from several sources including its charity shop, The Hub, on Clive Parade, along with a temporary pop-up shop run from Freshbrook Church. 

Other services coming onstream include table-top sales. 

More information about Swindon Night Shelter can be found at https://www.swindonnightshelter.uk