AN emergency winter shelter for the homeless stayed open for a month longer than was originally intended after being hailed a great success.

But the Atherton and Leigh Shelter of Hope needs a new home for next winter as the Church Of The Nazarene is no longer able to accommodate the service.

The church on Tyldesley Road, Atherton, saw 82 different people use the homeless shelter since it opened in January – highlighting the need for such a facility.

It closed on April 22 after its success convinced organisers to extend the intended three-month scheme.

Ian Gardiner, who ran the centre with Warren Done, manager at Atherton and Leigh Foodbank, said: “We hope to find another building for next year's winter night shelter and also recruit and train more volunteers.

"And with the support of churches and the community, we really hope to offer more nights next winter.

"We have met so many great people, both volunteers and guests. It may have been hard work at times but it has been very rewarding.

“Guests have reported back saying how safe they felt, how welcome they were made and that they were more alert and able to engage when turning up for appointments in the day after having a safe night.

“We have had conversations that make us believe that the guests left with more hope for the future."

The shelter originated from the Narrowgate project in Salford, with the aim being to create pop-up shelters across Greater Manchester so homeless people could stay in their home towns and not have to travel.

All guests at the shelter were referred by agencies working with the homeless and trying to find them permanent housing.

The shelter gave visitors somewhere safe to stay across four nights a week while permanent housing was being found for them.

Guests were provided with a bed, shower facilities, a wash bag with associated supplies, a hot meal and breakfast.