Downtown Community Ministry

Bulletin

21 November 2007

Numbers increase at Night Shelter

Demand for beds at Wellington’s Night Shelter has increased by 50% over the last few weeks and has bucked the usual downward trend at the end of the year.

Night Shelter Manager Barry MacDonald says most centres in New Zealand and around the world see demand decrease when the warmer months arrive but not so in Wellington.

“Thankfully we have enough beds for everyone coming in but it sure is unusual to see such an increase.”

Barry says a lot of people at the Night Shelter currently are from out of town and may only be short term residents.

However, he is in regular contact with DCM’s Community Outreach Worker Alan Norman about any residents needing a more independent place of their own.

Alan says, “The transition from shelter to home is quite big and takes a lot of support work. But once they get their own pad you can really see their confidence grow.”

Earlier this year the Night Shelter completed a huge refurbishment project that gave it greater ability to cope with the demand it currently faces.

ENDS

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