Homelessness and Rough Sleepers - Things to Consider

Homelessness and Rough Sleepers Things to Consider

Desire to help

There are comprehensive, (although not exhaustive) lists exist as a one-stop-shoo to discover sources, agencies, and organisations in one place without the need to surf around the Internet to discover piece-meal. There are inevitable on-going changes given the nature of the work but can hep people to discover and learn more on the subject. However, even some of those who change locations or links will at least be able to re-direct you to other contacts known through historical networks.

Common problem to avoid

A key issue to PLEASE REMEMBER - Avoid sending any homeless rough sleepers person indiscriminately to any Night Shelter before first making contact with the shelter or at least some else having done so to ensure availability of service(s). It is appreciated that this is often frustrating and sometimes difficult. However, sending an exhausted homeless person, (perhaps from one location to another venue miles away in hope), only for them to arrive to be told that it is not open, or they are full, potentially has far more ramifications and psychological damage to a person already suffering.

Get help for a Rough Sleeper

There are Outreach Workers working on the streets who help rough sleepers off the streets and assess on a person-by-person circumstances to try and find support assistance - where possible in Night Shelters or Hostels. If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can use your web search engines to discover such agencies that provide such services.

Links

Links to borough-by-borough services are available from the Author of this article. Optionally online sourcing such referral page with contact details of appropriate outreach team will tangibly help.

Homeless Person's Unit

Homeless Person's Units deal with priority homeless people. People whom the law considers priority homeless include pregnant women, people with dependent children, people aged over 60 years, or those in some way physically or mentally vulnerable.

As much information as possible needs to be provided. Prior contact with the local HPU can be made to ascertain what documents need to be taken before attending. Documents needed will include proof of identity, (e.g. Passport, Birth Certificate, current Tenancy Agreement and (if applicable), Notice to Quit, (if the person is in accommodation).

Any day or advice centre will help. Bed & Breakfast or a hostel place may be offered until a more permanent solution can be found. If not considered priority homeless the HPU should provide a list of hostels and private accommodation in the area.

Crime-prevention Charities

These are crime-prevention charities involved in crime reduction in communities. They range from Alcohol & Drug (aka substance misuse) support and referral bodies, plus groups that deal with people at risk of, or who are social excluded, to other well-known organisations such as Victim Support, and Crime Stoppers.

They face a funding and image conundrum, historically relying heavily on statutory funding, and with crime reduction at the top of the Governments agenda, these organisations need to be recognised as charities making available anti-crime provisions in communities and making an invaluable contribution to society as a whole, and reduction the high on-cost n the criminal justice system in purely dealing with people involved in anti-social behaviour by draconian methods and imprisonment which time has shown does not cure the problem in some ways is a short-term measure, temporarily taking the problem(s) out of society but long term has the potential to perpetuate the underlining issues. homelessness in the uk 2021 Donations - Produce - Goods for Night Shelters

Enquiries are annually received about produce and goods that come to hand each winter for homeless, especially through such sources as Harvest Festival via Churches. Such goods are always valued and welcomed by groups who provide for homeless/rough sleepers.

Sign-posting can positively help direct sources to locations where goods/food can be directed for the homeless during the winter season. To give an indication of the type of things generally needed a list is given below for guidance:-

Food: Non-perishable foods & Items, e.g. tins of vegetables, carrots, soups, fruit, potatoes; custard; rice pudding; sugar; tea; coffee; powder milk.

A word about certain tin foods: Such is the generosity of people night shelters find themselves with far too many tins of certain items surplus at the end of each season, i.e. Baked Beans, and tin Tomatoes. Equally, the same applies to the sheer volume of clothing, (with storage limitation), except for the type of items indicated below. Visit https://mybrotherskeeper.org.uk/

Fresh foods & Items, e.g. Ready pealed/baked/coquettes potatoes; chicken, (or other easy to cook meats); peas, mixed vegetables; cereals; apple & other deserts; sources; custard powder; sugar; washing-up liquid; food surface cleaning liquid; J-cloths; long matches; long lighting tapers; large tin foil; freezer bags.

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