History

In 1989 Rev. Gordon Lister of the Wesley Chapel, was told of 4 men sleeping rough in the abandoned Adelphi Hotel on Cold Bath Road.  He immediately offered help but soon realised that the problem was far more complex than he had imagined; one man alone could meet the needs of homeless people.

This was the beginning of the campaign by ”Churches Together” to tackle the hidden problem of homelessness in Harrogate.  By 1991 after months of intensive work, the Harrogate Homeless Project was established at 7, Bower Street.  From rather basic beginnings the Project has grown into a very professional organisation which does not merely offer a safe and supportive overnight refuge for homeless people: working with other agencies it provides support to address each client’s often complex needs, and to help them to move on with renewed confidence to a place of their own.

Obviously there have been many changes at the Project over 15 years.  Next door, No. 8 Bower Street now provides more independent support for clients who are gradually rebuilding their lives.  It is also home to the Drop-in centre which enables anyone struggling with homelessness to escape the streets for a few hours, find company, warmth, food, the chance to use the shower or washing machine and caring, informed advice.

It would be a nice to think that the Project’s work prevented all rough sleeping in Harrogate.   Not so.  At any one time up to 15 people may be sleeping rough and many more “sofa-surfing”.  Landlords are increasingly unwilling to accept tenants with mental health or addiction problems or those merely claiming benefits.  As a result, clients are now staying far longer than the three nights which was originally envisaged.  During October, 14 needy people were turned away because there simply wasn’t room available. 

On a more positive note, in 2005 the Project was able to help 55 people in the overnight shelter at No. 7.  Much of this has been made possible by the generous support of local people. 

There are so many different ways in which local residents can help: by spending a few hours a month as a volunteer; by contributing money, goods or individual skills or services;  or by fund-raising for us.