People sleeping rough over the winter nights can now come inside thanks to the creation of a new Night Shelter.
The 26-bed shelter has being provided by the City Council and run by local charity Julian House. Renamed The Junction - the former Spice Island restaurant in Magdalen Street will provide overnight sleeping accommodation for homeless people between November and the end of March.
The shelter opened on Thursday 1 November.
Funding for the facility has come from a successful application to the Government’s national initiative to reduce the number of rough...
On Friday 12th October YMCA Exeter held its third annual fundraising dinner at Woodbury Park Hotel with guests including The High Sheriff of Devon, Mrs Grania Philips, and Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police, Shaun Sawyer.
The Black Tie event was attended by 160 people and through ticket sales, a silent auction and individual pledges, and so far YMCA Exeter have raised £7,500 with donations still being made.
The youth charity has existed in Exeter since 1846 and is known for working with, and championing young people, many of whom experience homelessness,...
Exeter based civil engineering firm, Awcock Ward Partnership (AWP), has pledged support for the city’s young and homeless population by entering employees into this year's Great West Run on behalf of YMCA Exeter.
The local Christian organisation, YMCA, is committed to addressing the needs of young homeless people across Exeter and relies of charitable funds to continue its work.
The long-established Great West Run is taking place on Sunday 14th October and will take runners on a spectacular route of the city with views to enjoy of Stoke Woods and the University campus on...
Ben Bradshaw, MP of Exeter, took to the streets of the city this week to get a taste of life as a Big Issue vendor.
Ben took to a pitch outside outside Northenhay Gardens on Friday 3rd August.
Speaking about the experience, he said: “It was a positive experience, everyone was really friendly...A lot of people have genuine concerns about homelessness and rough sleeping, if they want to really help they could buy the magazine, and they’ll know where the money is going. The organisation works well, it’s managed and coordinated well. If they don’t want to buy, they should talk...
Six young residents from YMCA Exeter were invited to spend a time a day at the Civic Centre to pilot a new programme which aims to introduce homeless people into employment at the Council.
The Christian youth charity, who have existed in Exeter since 1846, provide services in Supported Accommodation, Training and Employment, and Health and Wellbeing.
The residents from YMCA Exeter, who have all experienced homelessness, were given a tour of eight different City Council departments including, Environmental Health, Tourism, Economy and Open Spaces.
Local people helped to raise over £30,000 for YMCA Exeter at a local fundraising on Saturday 10th March that saw them sleep out for the night in Barnfield Crescent.
More than 40 people took part in the annual Sleep Easy event, helping to raise money but also awareness of the work of the local youth charity. Participants paid an entry fee of £10 and were sleeping on DIY cardboard beds.
It was all part of a national YMCA Sleep Easy Week that saw YMCAs across the country come together over seven days to promote their work with young people.
Amongst those ‘sleeping rough’ in Exeter to raise money for young homeless people in the city on Saturday night was none other than young entrepreneur Chris Rundle of city-based GK Signs.
Aged 23 and the recent winner of the Western Morning News Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Chris wanted to do his bit for young people not as fortunate as he is. He set a modest target of £500 but more than smashed that with his fund currently running at nearly £1,400 which will benefit the YMCA, Exeter.
Describing his 12 hour ordeal, Chris (pictured above) said it was much tougher even...
A pilot scheme to help Devon’s homeless gain the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to get their lives back on track and pursue a career in hair and barbering, has been launched.
The scheme gives new hope to homeless and vulnerably housed adults who want to learn a trade so they can support themselves and their loved ones.
Now Devon County Council’s adult education service Learn Devon, Hair@theAcademy, a specialist training salon supporting vulnerable people, Exeter salon The Hair Boutique and homeless shelter Gabriel House have joined forces to give the homeless...
A woman who spent the lead-up to last Christmas sleeping in a shop front in Exeter is now starting to turn her life around and is now living in a self-contained flat. Tia Bamford (31), came to the attention of thousands of shoppers in December 2016, sharing a tent and a Christmas tree with a friend in front of the old BHS store in the High Street. Tia was able to spend last Christmas in emergency accommodation thanks to Exeter City Council’s Housing Solutions service, who have spent the last year supporting the former rough sleeper. “Tia is not out of the woods yet but over the last 12...
Extra bed spaces have been made available for rough sleepers in Exeter over the winter period, the City Council has announced. The 15 extra emergency beds will be provided at Gabriel House in the city centre as part the City Council’s response to providing emergency accommodation and bringing rough sleepers inside during the harshest winter weather. Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), who run Gabriel House, will be running the service from 1 December through to the end of March. This year the initiative has been extended by an extra month. Cllr Emma Morse, Lead Councillor for...
