For more than 50 years, Nightwatch has empowered and assisted thousands of homeless and otherwise vulnerable people to turn around their lives, from being homeless and unemployed, to having a stable, enriched life.
A core group of trained volunteers meet every night in Queen’s Gardens in central Croydon to assist homeless people. We supply essentials and also act as a first line of contact for homeless people and signpost them to other agencies.
You can donate financially online or send an e-mail to donate to Nightwatch. Cheques can be sent to Nightwatch at PO Box 9576, London, SE23 3ZH.
In 2026 Nightwatch is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
It was in September 1976 that a group of volunteers first ventured out to see what homeless peopel in Croydon needed and to try to help them.
The model is much refined but the mission is the same: each night a team of volunteers go out to help homeless and otherwise vulnerable people in the borough. We do this every night of the year.
We are entirely voluntary, we receive no state help, and rely entirely on the support of the public for our income and new volunteers.
Nightwatch volunteers are out every night in the centre of Croydon giving food and other help to homeless and other vulnerable people. We can be found every night at 9.30pm in the Queen’s Gardens, by Fell Road.
Our core activity is providing direct support for homeless people and others in need. We help people at every level of homelessness, from the street homeless to those in hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation and vulnerable former homeless people who need continuing support if they are not to become homeless again.
There are no paid staff, and no office premises. Please contact our staff and committee members via our contacts page.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest national honour given to volunteer groups across the UK, often described as the ‘MBE for voluntary organisations.’ It recognises the outstanding work carried out by volunteers who make a significant and lasting difference in their communities. The lifetime award celebrates groups that have the highest standards and whose efforts improve lives and bring people together.
To act as first line contact for homeless people, to signpost them to other agencies.
We do not have accommodation, but can advise people in need from the Queen’s Gardens at 9.30 every night.
The main port of call is the council’s Single Homeless Service which is currently accessible only online: you must first create a Housing Online Account and then contact the Homeless Intervention & Prevention Team at 020 8726 6000 or homeless-intervention@croydon.gov.uk.
Crisis centre is at 13 Surrey Street – 0203 848 1700.
Young people (14-21 year olds) can find help at Croydon Turnaround, 54/55 South End, CRO 1BF – 0208 760 5530.
We are working with partners to re-establish a Floating Shelter in Croydon for the winter months but there is not one at present.
For people sleeping out StreetLink may visit and offer options They will want to visit people at a sleeping place, to prove someone is street homeless. You can report yourself as homeless or seeing someone you see sleeping out at StreetLink: www.thestreetlink.org.uk. 0300 500 0914.
