NEWPORT Night Shelter saved a total of 474 nights of rough sleeping or sofa surfing in its first two months.

During December and January, the initiative received a total of 73 referrals from professionals in Newport for people in need of emergency accommodation.

The shelter - now halfway through its annual four-month stint covering the winter months - is run by Christian charity Eden Gate, which aims to meet the needs of those who are homeless and those who have alcohol or drug-related problems.

Each night of the week, a different Newport church welcomes the homeless with a hot supper, bed and breakfast. In all, 14 churches are involved.

December and January saw a total of 205 volunteers give up their time in the venues, making tea, coffee, cooking hot meals and meeting guests.

The venues for the first round of Night Shelter in December and January were St Julian’s Methodist, Bethel Church, Stow Hill, Holy Trinity, Christchurch, St Paul’s, Commercial Street, St Mary’s, Malpas Road, St Julian’s Baptist, and St Mark’s, Gold Tops.

Meanwhile, the host churches for Night Shelter in February and March are Christchurch Malpas, Duckpool Road Baptist, Newport Cathedral, Nant Coch Church, Lliswerry Baptist, Malpas Road Evangelical, and St John’s Maindee.

Last year, Newport Night Shelter won the Community Groups In Action Award at the Newport Volunteer Achievements Awards organised by GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organizations).

For more information, email marc@newportnightshelter.org or renate@newportnightshelter.org. Alternatively, call 07564 627099.