This is our story

For over 25 years we have offered beds to people experiencing homelessness in Hackney.

What started as a network of volunteers has developed into an effective route out of homelessness for many it supports.  

Over 20 years ago a group of Hackney residents and members of church congregations, some of whom had personal experience of homelessness, were thinking about how they could help the people they saw sleeping on the streets around Hackney. They decided that if each church opened its doors and took responsibility for running a shelter for one night a week, some of those people could be helped, during the coldest months of the year, between November and March. This network of churches and local people became Hackney Winter Night Shelter. 

The charity, Hackney Doorways, was established in 2010 and now employs a small team of staff who work with the hundreds of volunteers who have always been vital to running the shelters.

In 2019 the charity opened a year-round shelter for women based in a large house in Hackney. Building on the success of a static venue and year-round provision of emergency accommodation and move-on support for women, the trustees decided to switch all operations from winter only to all year round.

In 2020 Hackney Winter Night Shelter became Hackney Night Shelter and it's first mixed static shelter opened in November that year.

Hackney Doorways relies on grants, donations and fundraising, our partners and supporters to deliver the service to our guests.

Our Values

As an organisation that is reliant upon the support of a large number of volunteers, we value the contributions and experience of people from all walks of life. Our values guide our work and our approach.