As autumn arrives in Poznań, the Caritas Poznań Centre for People Experiencing Homelessness at ul. Krańcowa 10 is once again extending its overnight support.
From October through April, the centre's heated shelter operates as an emergency overnight service, giving people experiencing homelessness somewhere warm to spend the night and access to basic support.
The seasonal service is one part of a wider range of assistance provided at Krańcowa 10 throughout the year.
A place to come in from the cold
During the warmer months, the centre's day room is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00. People can have a meal, sit down, read, watch television, talk to others or simply spend some time somewhere warm and safe.
Between October and April, the heated shelter switches to its winter emergency schedule, operating from 16.00 to 08.00 the following morning.
The municipal baths are available during the day from 11.00 to 16.00. If the temperature falls to 0°C during the day, the heated shelter moves into a 24-hour service, providing continuous access to warmth and shelter.
The work is funded by the City of Poznań.
What happens inside the shelter?
The main room has a different purpose depending on the time of day.
During the day, it functions as a communal space, with tables where people can eat, talk and spend time. In the evening, the tables are moved aside, and the floor is prepared with mattresses and sleeping bags. Lights are switched off at 22.00.
A partly glazed wall separates the main room from the staff duty room. From there, workers oversee the centre and respond to people's needs. Basic first aid is also available, including treatment of wounds and health checks. Foot injuries are a particular concern among people who have spent long periods without stable accommodation.
There is a separate room for women, with distinctive pink mattresses, as well as a smaller sleeping area for people who need to get up early for work.
Every bit of space has a purpose
The practical details of the centre are easy to overlook, but they show how much everyday support takes place alongside providing a bed for the night.
The corridors contain lockers for personal belongings and shoes, shelves where visitors can charge their phones, a table with hot tea and a bookcase. There is also a computer with internet access as well as washing machines and dryers.
For someone living without a permanent home, access to clean clothes, a shower, a phone charger, the internet or somewhere to store a few belongings can make an immediate difference to the next day.
Who can use the heated shelter?
The service is intended for people experiencing homelessness who urgently need somewhere to stay.
The term emergency support reflects the fact that people can arrive directly from the street without having to complete lengthy formalities first.
There are, however, basic conditions for admission. A person must have no more than 1‰ alcohol in their breath, must not behave aggressively and must agree to use the bathing facilities.
The shower requirement is part of the centre's arrangements for maintaining hygiene within the communal sleeping space.
Preparing for winter
Caritas Poznań is also collecting winter supplies ahead of the colder months and the 10th World Day of the Poor.
People can support the campaign financially through Caritas Poznań or donate practical items, including:
hats
scarves
gloves
underwear
socks
thermos flasks
food thermoses
Donations can be organised through a parish or school where Caritas volunteers are active, or delivered directly to the Caritas office at ul. Rynek Wildecki 4a. The deadline for the collection is 5 November.
A winter service built around practical help
The shelter at Krańcowa 10 is one element of a broader support system for people experiencing homelessness in Poznań. The combination of overnight accommodation, daytime facilities, bathing, laundry, basic health assistance and access to everyday necessities reflects the practical challenges faced by people living without secure accommodation.
As temperatures fall, the availability of somewhere warm to sleep becomes particularly important. For people who need this service, Krańcowa 10 provides a place to come inside, rest and access support during the night.
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Source: Caritas Poznań
