Hackney Winter Night Shelter

Since it was established in 1993, Hackney Winter Night Shelter has provided hot food, warm beds and a friendly welcome to people living homeless in Hackney, saving them from the discomfort of sleeping on the streets during the coldest and harshest nights of the year. Open from November to March, the shelter is a volunteer-led operation that receives no government funding, relying entirely on donations, and the continuing kindness of the 700+ volunteers who keep the service running. As well as food and shelter at a daily changing roster of venues in Hackney, HWNS offers practical and professional support to its guests, assisting them with finding permanent accommodation, funding travel to essential appointments, and providing guidance on settling into new homes. Its long term goal is establish a route out of homelessness for anyone in need in and around Hackney.

Zetteler founder Sabine has been an overnight volunteer at HWNS for the last seven years, and many other members of the team have stepped in to help on evening and morning shifts. We’re proud to help them in any way we can – which includes supporting them via sales on The Z-List (HWNS is one of the beneficiaries of our rolling programme of charitable causes), and offering ongoing communications guidance to support their volunteer recruitment and fundraising for their life-changing programme.