Press release: Don’t let this winter be our last!
- Shrewsbury Ark
- Oct 17
- 5 min read
Charity launches urgent appeal to save vital homeless day centre
The award-winning charity, the Shrewsbury Ark — Shropshire’s only day centre for people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability - has launched an urgent appeal calling on local people and businesses to support it, or it could face closing its doors in the coldest part of the year.
Rising costs, such as employment and energy bills, falling income, and fewer grant making organisations offering funding for operational costs have led to a significant shortfall each month; like many charities across the UK now in this situation, reserves are rapidly dwindling. Our monthly operating cost is approximately £20,000, the majority of which covers staff costs for our small team of five and the utility bills required to keep the centre running.
While the charity is very grateful for, and always welcomes one-off donations, its winter appeal this year is for 1000 people to commit to a monthly donation starting from as little as £5 a month. This will ensure a sustainable income and will enable the charity to continue its vital work in delivering a wide range of critical services for those who are experiencing homelessness to make positive changes to their lives.
“Every penny we receive goes directly to keeping the doors open, the lights on, and delivering essential support,” says Anton Goodwin, Charity Director, The Shrewsbury Ark.
“We’ve streamlined operations, stripped everything back to the essentials to reduce our outgoings, and our dedicated volunteers are simply amazing at going the extra mile to help; however, without additional financial help this winter, we may not make it through.
“The people we support come from all types of backgrounds; they often have suddenly found themselves homeless due to a series of life events, and/or have fallen through the gaps in statutory support services.
“Last year our team helped support 80 people into accommodation, and over 120 people were added to our client list. With cost-of-living pressures and the current economic uncertainty, we suspect more people will need our services in the coming months; if we’re not here, where will people go when they are in crisis and don’t understand the system?” he asks.
For over fifty years, The Ark has been a place of hope and safety, providing vital support, food, and warmth; indeed, many people who have used the Ark’s services have said the charity hasn’t just changed their life, it’s saved it.
Sarah, 40, never imagined she would be living in a tent in the woods near Frankwell, but after a series of devastating health issues that left her with an addiction to prescription medication, a relationship breakdown, and the loss of her home, she found herself fighting for survival — both physically and mentally.
“It’s the people [at the Ark]; they help me manage my medication and support me without judgement. They make me feel hopeful again,” she says.
Cathy (name has been changed) 59, became homeless after caring for her mother through dementia. When her savings ran out, she found herself on the streets for the first time in her life.
“The Ark gave me warmth, food, and support when I had nowhere else to turn; without them, I wouldn’t have known what to do or where to go for help,” she says.
Robert, a proud veteran and father, became homeless after his relationship broke down and he lost contact with his children. Living with PTSD, he tried to cope alone and ended up sleeping rough.
“When I came to The Ark, I had nothing — no home, no hope. The team helped me rebuild my life and find a place to live. I’m seeing my kids again. Without The Ark, I honestly don’t know if I’d still be here,” he says.
What the Ark offers
The Ark provides access to vital care and support services including:
A regular GP clinic
Alcohol and substance harm reduction programme
Mental Health, neurodiversity support
Tenancy Readiness, supporting individuals to secure and sustain housing
Professional foot care – vital for rough sleepers
Oral Hygienist
Gambling support
Domestic abuse service
Enable – support for returning to the workplace
Barnabus – food bank and support
This is in addition to providing life’s basics such as hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, a place to charge a mobile phone so services can contact them, and somewhere warm and welcoming, where they are treated as a human being, to go during the day.
Integral to helping deliver Shropshire Council’s Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029, the Ark’s Impact Report shows just how vital the services offered are, and the impact it has on the wider community and society as a whole; for instance, as well as changing individuals’ lives, giving employment and volunteer opportunities, over 12 months, it saved the public purse £1.5 million and NHS services approximately £12K per person.
“The charity has been providing support and help to people experiencing homelessness since the early 1970s,” says Emily Bell, Chair of Trustees.
“In this time, its helped hundreds of local people and their families find a way forward and go on to live far better lives than they thought were possible.
“But right now, it’s our turn to ask for help. If 1000 people make a monthly, commitment we can survive this winter and plan for a sustainable future and continue to change lives for the better.
“We would like to expand our services, but right now, our goal is to create a dependable income stream that will keep the charity’s vital day centre running and ensure no one in Shrewsbury is left out in the cold this winter.”
How to sign up
The Ark’s new “Friends of The Ark” programme will create a dependable income stream that will make the charity’s vital work sustainable long-term.
To donate or become a Friend of The Ark, visit www.shrewsbury.co.uk or contact anton@shrewsburyark.org.uk / 01743 363 305
Without The Ark — there is no safety net.
- ENDS -
Media contact: Anton Goodwin, Director, The Shrewsbury Ark. anton@shrewsburyark.org.uk 01743 363 305
About the Shrewsbury Ark
Protecting and supporting people to move on with their lives is what the Shrewsbury Ark is about; relying totally on charitable donations and grants, the Ark never charges for its services.
As well as helping with housing, employment and benefits advice, The Ark works with many other organisations providing vital health and mental health support services.
Outside of Winter Provision, delivered in partnership with Shropshire Council, The Ark does not provide accommodation of any kind, but it does have bunk beds to enable people to rest during the day when the Ark is open to clients.
The Ark also provides hot food, and has bathroom and laundry facilities.
It is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm, for referrals, ongoing support and appointments.
If you are concerned someone is sleeping rough on the street, contact Streetlink online at www.thestreetlink.org.uk. Call 999 if the person is in immediate danger, needs medical assistance, is under 18 or is with someone who is under 18.
Streetlink forwards details to Shropshire Council’s Housing Options Team, and the Council’s Rough Sleeper team make contact and refer them to us.
For more information about The Shrewsbury Ark, please visit www.shrewsburyark.co.uk
Contact: Tel. 01743 363 305, Email: ark@shrewsburyark.co.uk
