Mansfield’s Winter Night Shelter, which opened for three months from the beginning of December, is looking for volunteers to support staff.

Extra help is needed each evening, from 8pm to 10pm, to help set up the shelter, and each morning, from 6am to 8am.

Duties could include signing people in, getting bedding ready and serving food and drinks.

Mansfield District Council is working with local churches and Derby City Mission to expand the shelter, which will be open for 90 nights — an increase of 46 from last year.

Five venues will host the shelter on a rota basis — The Stanhope Centre, The Beacon, Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church, Mansfield Baptist Church and St Mark’s Church.

Volunteers don’t need any experience or qualifications as full training will be provided.

They can attend one of two training sessions — on 8th November at the Baptist Church, Rosemary Street, at 6.30pm, or on 15th November at Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church, at 6.30pm.

To volunteer, call 07814541643 / 07983506037, email [email protected] or attend one of the sessions.

One of last year’s volunteers, John, said: “All you need is a kind heart and a non-judgmental attitude.

“It is a privilege to work alongside these people who are struggling, often through no fault of their own.

“They are the most courteous group of people you will ever meet and are very grateful for what we are doing for them. They appreciate all the facilities being provided.”

John, who is planning to volunteer again this year, said: “You don’t need any experience and don’t have to commit to 10 shifts a week, but put it in your diary so people know you can be relied upon.”

Coun Barry Answer, portfolio holder for housing at the district council, said: “The night shelter is a very important part of the work we do for our street homeless all year round.

“It allows us to work with some of the hardest to reach individuals in the district, giving them a safe, clean and warm place to sleep and hot food to eat in the coldest months. But more importantly, they will be offered a wide range of help and support to get into housing and turn their lives around.

“The difficulty is that not all of those who are homeless are willing to accept the help that is offered — but that is their choice and we will continue to do all we can to support them.”

In addition to the winter night shelter, the council’s specialist Outreach Workers are out on the district’s streets every week of the year actively looking for, and trying to engage with, rough sleepers to help them access the many services that are available.

If you see someone who is homeless, the Framework Street Outreach 24-hour hotline can be contacted on 0800 066 5356, to ensure they are offered the necessary support.