The Narrowgate Night Shelter was initially set up as a 3 month feasibility project.  It ran from the 10th November 2008 over the bitterly cold winter that year, and was a response to the need of existing rough sleepers in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

The pilot provided valuable experience and knowledge which contributed to the fulfilment of Manchester City Mission’s vision, that of establishing a permanent, purpose built shelter for rough sleepers.

The Windsor Christian Centre sports hall was transformed into a temporary dormitory to provide night accommodation that was available for homeless people on a night-by-night basis.  Over the period of the pilot, we had contact with 37 agencies from Manchester and surrounding areas referring guests to the shelter.

Each night the shelter provided a clean warm bed, pillow and duvet, with a light supper being served during the evening and breakfast in the morning to those who would otherwise be sleeping rough on the streets.

Right from the start we experienced a high take up of the service and had in excess of 140 homeless people register to use the shelter.  Up to 28 clients used the facilities each evening which were cared for by an army of volunteers.

Over the life of the pilot we recruited over 50 volunteers who worked tirelessly, night by night, preparing a mountain of tinned soups and countless cups of hot tea!  Guests munched their way through more than 1,120 tins of soup (or similar), 372 loaves of bread, 93 tubs of margarine, 205 pounds of sugar, 128 gallons of milk and countless tea bags!

Guests were given the opportunity of being referred to support workers at the Windsor Drop-in Centre to discuss their housing and benefit issues.  The centre helped 25 guests find permanent accommodation, 5 of which have also managed to find employment.  We praise God that we have also experienced people accepting the Lord Jesus as their own personal Saviour for the first time, and we have even helped back slidden people re-find Jesus.

The pilot ended in February 2009, and throughout the remainder of that year considerable building work was undertaken to improve the facilities for the guests.  A Project Manager was appointed to manage the ongoing development and running of the facility.  Two Mission Assistants were also appointed to work among the guests, enabling the guests to be referred to relevant agencies.  The Mission Assistants also share the Christian faith with guests where opportunities arise.

The Narrowgate Night Shelter has a great history of blessing from God resulting in the successful care and help of many, many guests.

Thank you for your prayers and contributions, in whatever form that may have been.