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Herefordshire is offering night-time accommodation to homeless people over winter, starting tonight (December 2).

Herefordshire Council will once again partner with charity Caring for Communities and People (CCP) to run Hereford’s winter night shelter in Symonds Street east of the city centre.

The former classroom is open to those who might otherwise be sleeping rough, from 8pm to 8am, providing a communal space with this year is partitioned between male and female areas.

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Cabinet member for community wellbeing Coun Carole Gandy said the shelter “is a lifeline for those in our community facing the harsh realities of rough sleeping during the colder months”.

“By providing a safe, warm, and welcoming space, we’re not just offering shelter—we’re offering support and a pathway to brighter opportunities,” she said.

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The charities and other bodies which address homelessness in the county are coordinated by the Herefordshire Homeless Forum. Its chair Christine Price said that as well as emergency accommodation, support available “ranges from finding new homes, day and evening/weekend services with free food, showers, specialist advice and access to vital health and wellbeing services”.

She added that local businesses and individuals can help this winter with donations of shower gel, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash bags, sanitary items, biscuits, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and squash.

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These can be dropped off at The Salvation Army on Canonmoor Street, Hereford on Monday to Friday and Sunday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, or at the Kindle Centre beside the Belmont Road Asda, which is open every day from 9am to 5pm.

Businesses that can offer warm breakfast at weekends, or hot evening meals, are meanwhile asked to contact info@healthwatchherefordshire.co.uk or to call 01432 277044.

In the last financial year, Herefordshire managed to cut by nearly half the number of people living on the streets or classed as rough sleeping, from 132 in 2022/23 to 73 in 2023/24, according to a response to a recent freedom of information request.