Nottingham’s extra support measures for rough sleepers have kicked in this week in the cold weather – providing enough shelter for anyone otherwise sleeping on the street as the temperatures drop.
Nottingham City Council and its partners offer a range of support all year round, which is stepped up between October and April with extra safeguards in place when temperatures fall below zero.
Every year, the council leads a multi-agency group, including Framework, Emmanuel House, voluntary organisations and local churches, to develop a cold weather plan which aims to prevent and respond to rough sleeping, as well as reducing the risks to the health and well-being of those who sleep on the streets during winter months.
The council is committed to working throughout the year to try to prevent homelessness happening in the first place and providing support when it happens.
Help available this winter includes:
- Beds in specialist accommodation.
- Dozens of daily opportunities for rough sleepers to get a free hot drink, meal or hot shower.
- Everyone gets an offer of a warm place to stay when the temperature falls to zero degrees Centigrade or below; when this happens 5 shared sites across the city will open offering emergency spaces for anyone in genuine need.
- Hot meals being delivered to emergency spaces from voluntary organisations, Guru Nanak’s Mission, SAFE and Food for all.
- A variety of accommodation available, mainly within in existing services but based upon the individual and their needs.
- The Emmanuel House winter night shelter running until April.
- Our Street Outreach Teams out daily from 5.30am talking to rough sleepers and offering them accommodation.
For more information, including advice for anyone facing homelessness, visit https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/information-for-residents/housing/homelessness-prevention-and-advice
Executive Member for Housing and Planning at Nottingham City Council, Cllr Jay Hayes, said: “As the cold nights draw in, we are doing all that we can to make sure that no-one needs to sleep rough in Nottingham this winter. That is why we will continue to prioritise securing funding for local services for rough sleepers in Nottingham, working alongside charities, faith groups and other agencies to make sure there are enough beds for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets.
“We have robust measures in place all year round to provide support for anyone who sadly finds themselves on Nottingham streets. These are stepped up further when temperatures fall below zero, which involves making additional shelter available and offering it to all identified rough sleepers to ensure they are protected from the cold.
“You may still see people rough sleeping; support is offered each night by our outreach team. If you see someone rough sleeping, please call the number below. We would urge anyone who wants to help to donate to charities who are in a position to provide the best support.”
Steve Watson, Director of Framework’s Homelessness Services, said: “There is no good time to be a rough sleeper but winter is definitely the worst. At this time of year it’s particularly hard to see why some still falsely perceive homelessness as any person’s ‘lifestyle choice’.
“We work with Nottingham City Council and our partners to do our best in very difficult circumstances to address the continually rising tide of rough sleeping.
“At Framework, our outreach team appreciates the involvement of a wide range of organisations to provide additional options for people in greatest need – particularly when the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is in operation but also throughout the year.
“In the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis, we will continue to lobby government for policies that enable rough sleeping to be a thing of the past.”
Homelessness and rough sleeping is unfortunately on the rise nationally and locally. Members of the public who see a rough sleeper can contact the street outreach team by texting SOT and a message to 80800, calling 0800 066 5356 for free 24/7 or go to www.streetlink.org.uk