CRASH helps provide a home for homeless people in Winchester

CRASH is delighted to have helped Winchester Churches Nightshelter refurbish their new move-on accommodation ‘Ben’s House,’ which will provide four homeless people with a much needed home after their stay at the Nightshelter, thanks to CRASH Patrons and supporters.

The need

The Nightshelter runs 365 days a year to enable people to rebuild their lives and escape homelessness for good. Winchester Churches Nightshelter supports up to 200 people facing homelessness each year. The purpose of Ben’s House is to help homeless people who are ready to take the next step on their journey towards independence. With the number of rough sleeper’s rising every year since 2010, projects like Ben’s House are vital in providing specialist care and support to those in need.

Ben’s House has been dedicated to the memory of local man Ben Blyth, an ex-Nightshelter resident who sadly died in 2010 at the age of just 33. Ben suffered from a complex and incurable mental health condition and spent many months living homeless in Winchester, during which time he received support from local agencies including the Nightshelter.

How CRASH Patrons helped

CRASH Patron companies Arcadis, British Gypsum, Dulux Trade and Knauf Insulation generously donated their professional expertise and building materials which enabled the Nightshelter to refurbish the interior of Ben’s House and convert a disused garage onsite into a much needed private space for support work to take place.

£3,205 of professional expertise and materials donated by CRASH patrons.
£5,000 cash grant awarded by CRASH, bringing the total value of support to £8,205.

The Impact

“We’ve always had in mind that the new rental house should feel like a home for our tenants. We want them to feel comfortable, safe and secure, so that they can have the best possible start to their experience of independent living after being at the Nightshelter. CRASH has been instrumental in making this happen – without their support, the project would not have launched as successfully as it has.”

Michele Price

Nightshelt Manager