A homeless support centre is set to open seven days a week.
From Monday, October 5, Oakham Court in Preston will offer a structured support programme for rough sleepers and residents of Bridge to Home, formally known as the Night Shelter.
The service will provide access to accommodation, daytime and evening support, casework, and partner-led activities.
Cllr Peter Kelly, cabinet member for Housing, Communities and Night Time Economy, said: "Importantly, the service will be available seven days a week, with accommodation at its heart.
"It is much more than a drop-in centre; it will connect people with the Council’s Rebuilding Lives Pathway."
Rebuilding Lives is the city’s new pathway, developed by the Council’s homelessness team. It sets out a series of steps to help people move from rough sleeping towards settled accommodation.
Oakham Court will offer breakfast and evening meals, showers, laundry services, initial assessments, and access to outreach workers and partner organisations.
Mr Kelly said: "We are proud of the service the Council has developed and will provide.
"We want people to know that help is available and that they can access the pathway and receive support tailored to their individual circumstances, helping them take positive steps towards a more secure and independent future."
The programme’s partnership element is still being developed, with ongoing discussions involving community groups across Preston.
These groups will be able to apply for small grants to help deliver activities and support through the service.
The centre will operate in three sessions during the week and one session on weekends.
From Monday to Friday, the centre will open from 8am to 12pm for rough sleepers and Bridge to Home residents.
Morning sessions will include assessments, casework, breakfast, showers, laundry, and personal items.
From 12pm to 3.30pm, the centre will offer focused casework appointments, outreach meetings, and organised activities, but will not operate as a general drop-in.
Evening sessions will run from 3.30pm to 8pm, offering assessments, ongoing casework, evening meals, showers, laundry, and access to partner organisations.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the centre will open from 3pm to 8pm, initially only for Bridge to Home residents during October.
This approach has the aim of extending the daytime weekend offer to everyone sleeping rough in Preston.
Share