There is currently no night shelter in Slough.

The council has a duty to help some people who become homeless - the Housing Needs Team is available to do this. If you need help, call into the councils office at Landmark Place and speak to an advisor. Alternatively, contact a housing advisor direct on 01753 476714

You could also make the effort to contact some of the housing associations/agencies listed in the ‘Accommodation' section. You may find that some have waiting lists and require applications to be completed to be considered - therefore, you should try to apply as soon as you can.

Slough Homeless Our Concern (SHOC)

T: 01753 536745
A: Serena Hall, Burlington Avenue, Slough, SL1 2JT
Time: Mon, Wed, Fri: 9.30am - 3.30pm, Tues, Thurs:  9.30am - 1pm, Sat:   11am - 2pm

This service provides advice and assistance on housing benefit, health and substance misuse, emotional and tenancy support. You can attend IT lessons, and get home comforts such as tea and coffee, hot meals, and laundry facilities.

• Helps to find/sustain accommodation, give housing/health advice
• Provides substance misuse information and advocacy service
• Provides hot meals, facilities to take a bath and wash clothes
• Provides services to help improve reading and writing. SHOC has IT access at an on-site learning centre
• Open access to a drop-in service, which can also refer onto other agencies (REAP, Shelter and Look Ahead).

Shelter

T:  0844 515 1380
A: Shelter Southern Counties Housing Aid Centre, 27 Church Street, Slough, SL1 1PL
Time: Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 1pm DROP-IN only
  
Shelter offers free advice, information, advocacy and representation on issues related to housing debt, welfare benefits and community care.

• Help to find suitable accommodation for badly housed people
• Help to find temporary accommodation for the homeless
• Drop-in Service in the morning
• Shelter DOES NOT provide emergency accommodation.

Below are details of some places in the area that you can get cheap/free meals during the day and, in some cases, somewhere to drop-in and use facilities

Soup kitchen

A: Outside the service area at the back of the Observatory shopping centre (behind the Yell building) in Slough Town Centre
Time: Mon nights from 6pm

You can get food and drink from here provided by local people.

Sleeping on the streets can be dangerous. You should only do this as a last resort and if there is absolutely no other options available to you.

If you are in a situation where you have no other option but to sleep on the streets, try your best to access services to help you stay safe and healthy, and follow the following advice:

HEALTH:

• As a homeless person it can be difficult (but not impossible) to register with a doctor. Take care of your health and access an NHS walk-in centre if you feel unwell
• Eat hot food at least once a day, and try to eat or drink something before you go to sleep to keep your body warm over night
• Try to keep warm - wear lots of thin layers of clothing and a hat, and never sleep directly on the ground (try to find a mat, cardboard or newspapers to sleep on). Also, try to find somewhere sheltered and out of the wind or the rain

STAY IN TOUCH:

• Try to stay in touch with family and friends. You can do this through outreach teams, or ask your drug worker to help you.

BELONGINGS:

• Try to keep your belongings safe as you put yourself at risk of theft or robbery if you keep these things visible. Some day centres will store these for you.
• Pets - if you have a pet, you may be able to get treatment for them for free if you can prove you are on benefits and have nowhere to live. Most hostels won't accept pets, and it may be worthwhile considering giving your pet up for adoption to the RSPCA or local veterinary charity.