Exeter’s safe haven striving to break the cycle of homelessness

The heart breaking issue of homelessness is one that is more prevalent in people’s minds at this time of year due to the colder weather and festive season, but the stark reality is that I have come across it more than ever in 2025, says Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

One of the privileges of being a Police and Crime Commissioner is you get to meet such incredible charities and organisations whose sole purpose is to help people at most in need of support within our communities.  

These have included The Amber Foundation in Chawleigh, and St Petrock’s in Exeter.  

Through them, I have had the honour to meet truly inspiring men and women who have completely turned their lives around having endured unimaginable trauma and then sought solace in drink or drugs, causing them to lose their vital support networks, job and home.  

It is frightening to hear how easy it is to lose everything, and it could happen to any one of us.   

Recently, I was fortunate to be invited to visit Exeter homeless charity St Petrock’s at its welcoming base on Cathedral Yard in the city.  

I met with members of its team, including chief executive Peter Stephenson and team leader Rowan Livingstone, and we were also joined by Inspector Nathan Johnson, from the city’s neighbourhood policing team, who remains in regular contact with St Petrock’s. 

This close relationship enables them to work more effectively to keep people safe. Peter told me that the number of known rough sleepers in Exeter is currently around “40 and rising” and predicted figures for next year “look terrifying”.  

Extremely concerning statistics in a report from the Museum of Homelessness in October stated that in 2024, Exeter saw a large rise in deaths of people experiencing homelessness. There were 21 deaths – up 163 per cent from 2023 – and each person was known personally by St Petrock’s staff and volunteers.  

The possible reasons I was given included a reduction in mental health services, increasing supplies of deadly drug Spice in the city, and a lack of support when people leave prison. 

Breaking the homeless cycle requires a collaborative effort and partnership working because people’s needs are often complex and entrenched in a way which no one service can solve.  

The part St Petrock’s plays is giving people hope for what their future could look like through positive role models and the varied services provided by its outreach team, welfare advice service and housing services.  

St Petrock’s is the only place in the city where rough sleepers can have a shower, go to the toilet, wash and dry their clothes and bedding, charge their phone, and use a computer.   

St Petrock’s opens its doors Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 1pm, which includes breakfast and a warming two-course lunch. The space is used by around 45 people a day, including groups or 1-2-1 appointments in the afternoon. 

The former church is situated next to upmarket restaurant chain The Ivy, but despite the stark contrast, it was lovely to hear what a brilliant relationship the two teams of managers enjoy, including some of the Ivy’s chefs recently cooking lunch in the St Petrock’s kitchen.  

I was told about great plans St Petrock’s has in the pipeline, including providing more supported accommodation and women only accommodation.  

This is because there has been a shift in its client demographic of rough sleepers which has seen the men and women ratio decrease from 80 per cent males to 70 per cent.  

However, St Petrock’s – who led locally on this year’s national women’s rough sleeping census – believes from the census results that the proportion of women sleeping rough is probably significantly higher. 

Exeter is a very tolerant, generous and compassionate city.  

I would like to thank St Petrock’s and all the homeless charities, organisations and partners who are helping to tackle homelessness across the region.  

You are all helping to save lives, but prevention remains a priority, as no one should have to experience life living on our streets.