What we do

Helping Herts Homeless (formerly The North Herts Sanctuary) is run entirely by volunteers.

We are registered with the Charity Commission, Charity number 1071610, and at Companies House, company number 03471965. The board of five trustees oversees the charity’s governance, sets strategic direction and coordinates the work we do. As a small charity the trustees are also heavily involved with day to day activities running the fundraising and communications committees. We have a wonderful team of volunteers who do everything from providing specialist advice on for example property management and IT to managing the web site & social media as well as organising and running fundraising events.

Over the last 30 years the charity has built up a network of supportive contacts in other charities, local organisations and local authorities including the local councillors. Importantly we also get strong support from residents and businesses around The Sanctuary itself.

The focus points for the charity are fundraising for and supporting partner charities and making the best use of The Sanctuary Building.   

We act as a Hub. The charity distributes money and the donations in kind to Resolve, Herts Young Homeless and other like-minded and deserving organisations.  Our volunteers publicise the need to help the local homeless and raise money through a range of regular fundraising events.

The Sanctuary building is leased to One YMCA (oneymca.org) who are responsible for the day to day operational services. They provide targeted support to help address the social and health needs of service users in order for them to ‘move on’ to permanent accommodation. Residents are assessed for issues such as drug and alcohol dependence, mental health and relationship problems. Treatment, training and advice prepare the service users for independent living.