YMCA Lincolnshire’s Nomad Centre – More Than Just A Bed

There is far more to what we do in our emergency accommodation service than may initially meet the eye. Many people in Lincoln know us for the Nomad Centre and regularly support us with generous donations. These donations help fund the vital wrap-around services we provide for residents – that go far beyond providing just a bed for the night.

A Warm Welcome 

The Nomad Centre is the only emergency accommodation for those at risk of homelessness in Lincoln. Our 24/7 Reception team are the first point of contact for those with nowhere else to go.

In January alone the centre housed and supported 45 individuals.

The first thing we do when someone comes to the Nomad Centre is to ensure they’ve had something to eat and drink. When you’re homeless it’s impossible to tell where the next meal will come from so it’s crucial that we provide new residents with something warm and nutritious (possibly a stark contrast to what they’ve been having prior) as soon as they arrive.

Our in-house chef provides 3 home-cooked meals a day and this is one of things that residents thank us for the most.

In one month, our team provides 2,400 meals to our residents and that’s just one reason why donations and generosity from local suppliers is so vitally important; so that we can continue to bring a sense of comfort and warmth to those who need it most.

Day-to-Day Support 

Some of the ways we support our residents seem simple, but they all help individuals step-by-step on their way to independent living. This includes encouraging individuals to regulate their sleep schedule; as they have sadly learnt that it’s safer to sleep in the daytime and be awake at night when living on the street.

Bringing people to live together from different backgrounds and experiences, can have its challenges but our goal is that people find somewhere that feels like home even if it only for a short time.  Our trained Support Workers are skilled in conflict resolution, mediation and in creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, heard and valued.

Digging Deeper 

Many of our residents are dealing with substance misuse issues, as well as a myriad of mental health challenges. We host a Holistic Help for the Homeless team at the Nomad Centre who provide physical, sexual and mental health care for those that need it. Residents also have access to a Psychotherapist, who works with residents on a 1:2:1 basis through Talking Therapy.

Across the City 

As well as our emergency housing provision, we also commit to providing temporary shelter during poor weather with our unique “Sit-Up Service” in partnership with the Lincoln City Council. Designed to accommodate individuals on a temporary basis in the event of extremely poor and life-threatening weather, the Nomad Centre takes in rough sleepers from the street and provides them a safe place to stay often before traditional initiatives like SWEP are put into effect.

Support Us

The wrap-around care we provide residents at the Nomad Centre, from the freshly-cooked meals to counselling sessions, are not possible without the generosity of our supporters and donors.

That’s why our 2025 Sleep Easy event is raising vital funds and awareness to support these services. You can help this mission by registering your interest to take part in our Sleep Easy event on March 7th here.