A PROJECT which temporarily housed homeless people during the winter has been hailed as a success.

From January to March, 12 rough sleepers who had been identified as needing intensive support and accommodation were welcomed into the disused Carfax Street Health Centre.

Around 50 volunteers tended to their needs, took them on trips and helped them re-integrate into society.

Cher Smith from the Swindon Foodbank and Cllr Cathy Martyn, cabinet member for housing and safety, volunteered and oversaw the work of other volunteers.

Cher said: "It became quite familial.

"The guests did not expect the social side of it - we had meals out, golf trips, cinema visits, which the volunteers paid for.

"We had a few birthdays - some guests said they hadn't celebrated their birthday for years.

"Nobody had ever expected much of them so some of them weren't very confident in their abilities, we gently coaxed them into self-belief.

Cllr Martin said: "Some guests came and went, some had regular days every week, it was as much like a home as we could make it.

"They felt that they were part of the community - some of them have got involved in volunteering since, which is huge."

Mike Ash, head of housing at Swindon Borough Council, was pleased with the progress of the project.

He said: "I think we've been very brave taking this project on and we've made it work.

"Last year we had a growing number of rough sleepers., we wanted to get them warm, get some food in their tummies and develop a real future for them.

"Of the 12, we've successfully engaged with 10 and offered them accommodation.

"For the other two, it just wasn't their time and there were circumstances beyond our control.

"It's been a great success in terms of volunteer turnout - we had just under 2,000 hours of volunteer work, we've been overwhelmed by the positive response.

"The guests couldn't believe their luck, there was a recognition from them that this was a great opportunity to turn their lives around.

"They've got to know each other, support each other, and developed relationships with mentors from partner agencies which they will continue to work with in their new homes.

"They undoubtedly would not have to to that point without having the months in here."

Mike estimated that the project cost the council around £40 per person per night, which he claimed was less than other homeless shelter services

Mike offered his thanks to the Swindon Night Shelter, Christmas Care homeless shelter, Swindon foodbank and WHSmith for offering donations to the project.

He also thanked Booth House, Threshold, the project's statutory partners, Intel, Hills Waste, Gateway Furniture, Crown Decorating, nearby churches, Big Breakfast Plus and the Hindu community for their support, for helping to turn the centre into a hostel, and for providing meals.

The Carfax centre will soon be demolished but there is a chance that the temporary winter housing project will return.

Cher added: "The venue doesn't make a difference, it''s the nature of the project that matters, it's about engaging with them as individuals.

"The volunteers said it's blown away any myths and fears they had about homeless people, they know how they can help them now and they'd probably come back in the future."

Cllr Martin added: "The project has just ended so we'll do a final evaluation, take the results to cabinet in June and that will steer how we go forward."