Winter Night Shelters

Our Winter Night Shelter service operates during the coldest months of the year and is a lifeline for many who would otherwise be sleeping rough. Our winter night shelters offer 15-beds for those with low to medium support needs, working alongside Milton Keynes City Council’s Rough Sleeper team.

Thanks to churches, community centres and an incredible team of volunteers, we’re able to offer this service 7 days a week and guests know they will receive an evening meal, company, and a warm, safe place to sleep. 

From the end of November through to the end of March, our guests are invited to arrive at our friendly reception café at our Unity Park Station homelessness centre from 5.00pm, seven days a week. They will be welcomed by our welfare team and have time to settle in, sort and store their belongings, have hot drinks, snacks, and relax.

Dave Elliott and guest Remus

Later guests will be transported to an overnight venue. There they will be greeted by a team of trained volunteers who provide an evening meal, company and support, opportunities to relax and play games, and a warm bed for the night. In the morning guests are provided with hot drinks, breakfast and transported back to Unity Park Station where they can access shower, laundry facilities and of course welfare support.

Our welfare team work with our night shelter guests to get them into more settled accommodation and support them to rebuild their lives. This might be through working with the Council, referrals to partner agencies such as the YMCA, The Shelter MK or Emmaus, or finding private accommodation and housing schemes that will work for them.

We have a number of former guests who say they owe their lives to our night shelter service, and some have returned to volunteer to help others.

Winter night shelter beds

How you can help

We would love you to be involved. Please see the different ways you can support us by clicking on the buttons below.

Volunteers setting up beds at our Winter Night Shelters

Concerned about someone sleeping rough in Milton Keynes?

If you’re worried about someone sleeping rough in Milton Keynes you can refer them to our welfare team on 07549 609427 or by emailing: welfare@unitymk.org.

Alternatively, StreetLink is a nationwide project whereby members of the public can report incidences of observed rough sleeping and welfare concerns. Street Link will then alert the appropriate agencies to offer support. You can get in touch with Street Link via their website (www.streetlink.org.uk), downloading their mobile app, or by calling 0300 500 0914.

    Charity Number: 1149480

    Company Number: 08232340

    Registered Address: The Ridgeway Centre, Featherstone Road, Wolverton Mill South, Milton Keynes, MK12 5TH

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