For the last ten years, Glasgow City Mission ran its winter night shelter as an emergency accommodation service from 1 December to 31 March.

Starting on 1 December 2020, the charity opened a new upgraded winter project, to replace the winter night shelter, called the Overnight Welcome Centre (OWC). The OWC was hosted in a city centre hotel and for the first time, the charity was able to offer a 24 hour a day service.

Each guest had an en-suite room ensuring privacy and the ability to socially distance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Glasgow City Mission served breakfast, lunch and dinner and had staff available at all times to address individual support needs and work towards a positive accommodation outcome for guests.

Glasgow City Mission had a successful season in the OWC including helping 136 guests in the foyer, getting a solution for them immediately, so they did not have to stay that night.

The charity said it was pleased that 87% of its guests went onto positive accommodation outcomes, adding that its housing settlement officers and OWC manager are still working with those others not yet settled.