Axis Social Fund Helps Southend Night Shelter Extend Weekend Support
A Southend night shelter has received a welcome boost thanks to the Axis Social Fund, supported by ourselves and the RVIP.
Opened in February 2025, the shelter provides seven beds and is the only hostel in Southend offering double-room accommodation for couples. It offers a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness, including those living with mental health challenges, substance dependency, disabilities, or without access to public funding.
Referrals are made through councils, charitable organisations, prisons and the Probation Service. A £1,000 grant has enabled the shelter to recruit two daytime weekend support workers, allowing it to remain open throughout the weekend from November 2025.
Visitors describe the shelter as bright, clean and uplifting, with messages of encouragement displayed throughout. Staff and volunteers work closely with residents to help them build skills, attend essential appointments and assessments, and prepare for independent living when they are ready.
