The Shelter MK Launch Celebrated as a Huge Success

From Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November, The Shelter MK brought a life-size replica of one of its sleeping pods to the city centre, giving visitors a powerful insight into the spaces that offer safety, comfort, and stability to people experiencing homelessness at its permanent home, George House in Stantonbury.

At the official ceremony held on Tuesday 28 October, the Mayor joined charity representatives, supporters, and members of the public at the Midsummer Place bandstand to reveal the new name, brand, and renewed commitment to providing guests with hope, stability, and a future they can call their own. The event marked the transformation of the much-loved The Bus Shelter MK into The Shelter MK – a new chapter symbolising progress, compassion, and community spirit.

Pam Williams, Chair of The Shelter MK, said:

“The relaunch has been a truly special moment for everyone involved. Seeing the support from our community and having the Mayor of Milton Keynes with us made it even more meaningful. The new name reflects how far we’ve come and where we’re heading – towards helping even more people who need us change their lives for the better.”

Former George House guest Donald, 74, also shared his story at the event. After working as a courier for 33 years, he suddenly found himself unemployed for the first time and living in his van. The Shelter MK helped him rest, recover, and find new accommodation.

Donald said:

“I’d like to come back to George House as a volunteer. I know if I ever need support, the fantastic team at The Shelter MK are only a phone call away.”

Visitors also had the chance to watch a special film created by media production students from MK College, led by tutor Luke Sheehan, which tells the story of the charity’s work through their eyes and those of former George House guests. The full-length version was screened on-site thanks to a 43” display kindly loaned by AV Xpert, a Huntingdon-based company that provided the equipment free of charge as part of its community engagement initiative celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

The display also featured beds kindly provided by IKEA, which supplied items for both the Boulevard Bed Race and the sleeping pod exhibit – helping bring the project to life with warmth and authenticity.

A second group of MK College media students produced a video teaser for social media, which proved popular with the charity’s Facebook followers, gathering almost ten thousand views in the lead-up to the launch.

Kirsty McGiff, Marketing Manager at Midsummer Place, said:

“We are immensely proud to have supported both the original The Bus Shelter MK and now The Shelter MK. The launch was a great success, and it’s been inspiring to see so many people engage with the charity and learn more about the incredible work they do.”

Since its beginnings at Midsummer Place in 2017, when the charity introduced a converted tour bus once used by Robbie Williams, The Shelter MK has grown into a vital lifeline for those facing homelessness. It now costs over £300,000 a year to operate and relies on public donations and community backing.

The charity’s story – from the original bus to the creation of George House’s shipping container pods – has captured the hearts of Milton Keynes residents. To date, The Shelter MK has provided safety, support, and a pathway forward for more than 300 guests, helping them rebuild their lives.