Introducing The Gate 2018

What is The Gate?

The Gate Residential Centre provides specialist support to guests that have dependency support needs. The centre will be open 24 hours from 9am on the 23rd of December, until the morning of the 30th of December. This centre has a capacity of between 50 and 150 guests who will have access to a full range of services throughout the week. 

The Gate is a key part of the Crisis at Christmas offer. Unlike other Crisis at Christmas Centres, guests at The Gate can drink on the premises. This is really important for people who cannot get through the day without drinking, or those who find it difficult to “follow the rules” about drinking and drug use, which can lead to them being asked to leave other centres. This can create tensions and stress, and put themselves or other people at risk. 

The aim of the centre is to cater for guests with dependency issues. It is not for guests who are drinking socially over the Christmas period. Support includes essential services from Turning Point, speedy assessment and referral for guests to City Roads Detox, AA, CA and NA. While drinking is tolerated in the centre the building will include a dry, quiet area where services will be delivered with a focus on active engagement.

The Gate is a safe and welcoming service which offers:

• Respite from the streets for homeless people with alcohol and drug problems
• An opportunity to have fun and relax
• Inclusion – with experienced volunteers who can engage and keep people safe, where they might struggle to cope in other centres
• Harm Minimisation – with advice on safer drinking, access to needle exchange etc.
• Motivation and person centred support – for those guests who may want to think about changing
• Signposting and advice on where to get the specialist help needed in the New Year

It’s Crisis at Christmas’ way of trying to ensure there’s a safe space for everyone.

As with all our Residential Centres, The Gate is run on a referral-only basis.