Guests are referred to the Narrowgate Night Shelter by an agency.  We prefer this, as we then know that an organisation is helping the guest to move off the streets, rather than the guest going round in circles making no progress.  Click here for more information on referring a guest.

Guests arrive at the Narrowgate Night Shelter between 7.30pm and 9.00pm, and must knock the door and wait to be allowed in.  On admission before 9.00pm, hot drinks are available, and between 8.00pm and 9.00pm a light supper is provided – this is a simple meal, normally bread and soup, or something on toast.

A small amount of administration is undertaken with guests during the evening.  This is to register the guest if it is their first visit to us, and to complete Housing Benefit claims where applicable.

Between 7.30pm and 10.00pm, guests are able to mix with friends, play pool, watch television, and read.  Our aim is to create a safe, welcoming environment so that guests can begin to wind down and prepare for going to bed.

At 9.20pm we announce “last smoke” - an opportunity for guests to have a final cigarette and a tea or coffee.  At 9.45pm, the outside door is closed for the night.  For reasons of safety to both our guests and volunteers, the door is not opened again until the morning.

On most nights, at 9.45pm a time of group prayer is offered – many guests respond positively to this and attend, even if they do not actively participate.

At 10.00pm the dormitory door is opened, and guests go to their allocated bed.  As the dormitory is open and mixed gender, we do not allow guests to undress, apart from to take off an outer coat and shoes.  At 10.15pm the lights are turned out, and guests are expected to have settled and be trying to sleep.  In practise, the vast majority of guests are already asleep in their bed long before lights out!

Guests are woken at 6.00am with the lights being turned on.  A light breakfast of cereal, toast, tea and coffee is served from 6.15am to 6.45am.  Guests are expected to have vacated the dormitory by 6.30am so that volunteers can begin changing the laundry.

On most mornings at 6.50am, a time of group prayer is again offered – and again many guests respond positively to this and attend, even if they do not actively participate.

All guests are expected to have left the building by 7.00am, enabling volunteers to complete the cleaning tasks ready for the arrival of the Windsor Drop-in Centre day staff.