To All Our Colleagues, Supporters and Friends of the WYDAN Shelter

I hope this email finds you well!

Many of you will have been wondering what’s happening to the Night Shelter during these extraordinary times, please do share this update.

Unfortunately one of our guests was displaying symptoms of Covid-19 while the shelter was at Otley. In response to this Leeds City Council ‘decamped’ the shelter to one of their properties near to the centre of Leeds.

We are working closely and in partnership with Leeds City Council and we are providing food and support to our guests for the duration of the ‘lock-down’ and beyond. I am particularly heartened that LCC have understood the specific needs of destitute asylum seekers and have agreed that only destitute asylum seekers will be accommodated at the property. Our steering group have agreed to treat all of the residents at the property as our ‘guests’ so we are supporting all twelve residents.

We have a brilliant team of volunteers across the city and we have arranged with Lead Volunteers and their teams to provide food to our guests for at least the next three months.

Occasionally we may have specific appeals for the various needs of the shelter and the guests including, food, items for the shelter, specific volunteer roles and financial support. We are compiling a central database of volunteers who may be able to help in a very practical way of picking up cooked food and delivering it to the shelter, and other volunteering needs as they arise. If you feel that you are available to volunteer (within current PHE guidelines) please email jlivesey@ntlworld.com

I can confirm that all of our guests are currently well and under the circumstances, happy at the shelter and that our one guest who did display symptoms of Covid-19 was placed in isolation but will be soon returning to the shelter fully recovered.

Thank you to everyone for your continued well wishes and support for the shelter

Warmest wishes and stay safe!

Katrina