Beds available for all people sleeping rough this winter; volunteers wanted to help with the programme
People sleeping rough in St Albans District will all be offered a bed for the night in safe and warm accommodation during the cold winter months.
St Albans City and District Council has worked with partners including the Open Door charity to ensure there will be enough beds for every rough sleeper who wants one.
Five extra beds are being provided at the Marlborough Road Methodist Church in St Albans for both men and women. People with dogs can be catered for.
This is in addition to the 12 beds that are available throughout the year at the Open Door Homeless Hub.
Open Door has also launched an appeal for volunteers to help with the effort. They will greet guests, prepare breakfasts and carry out other tasks.
Last year, 45 volunteers gave over 440 hours of their time whilst eight of the nine rough sleepers who were assisted later moved to stable, long-term accommodation.
The extra accommodation has been organised by the Winter Beds Project, an annual initiative which is managed by Open Door with support from the Council, Hightown Housing Association (HA) and Marlborough Road Methodist Church.
Two outreach workers are active in the District, making people sleeping rough aware of the support. One is employed by the Council and the other by Hightown HA.
The Project started on Monday 8 December and will run until the end of March next year.
Councillor Simon Johns, Chair of the Council’s Housing and Inclusion Committee, said:
The safety of the small number of people sleeping rough we have in the District has always been a priority for us and remains so.
We are offering emergency beds every night, not just when the temperature drops alarmingly, and we will do so right through the winter.
The Winter Beds Project is a community-led initiative and I am proud that we are supporting our local homeless charities and organisations such as Open Door and Hightown.
Many thanks go to them and the Winter Beds volunteers for their outstanding contribution to the project. I urge anyone who wants to help to consider becoming a volunteer or donating to a local homeless charity.
There are many complex reasons why people end up sleeping rough on the streets. Our role is not to judge, but to offer safety and support.
Lucy Gaygusuz, Open Door Winter Beds Project Coordinator said:
This is the ninth year the Open Door Charity has run the Winter Beds Project and we couldn't do it without our volunteers.
Just a few hours of your time can make an enormous difference and prevents lives being lost to the cold. There's no minimum time commitment and you don't need experience, just compassion and a willingness to help out.
Spiros Georgiou, Head of Homelessness and Mental Health for Hightown HA, said:
Rough sleeping remains one of the most visible and harmful forms of homelessness.
At Hightown, our staff offer responsive, psychologically informed support that meets people where they are. Accessible services mean earlier intervention, better outcomes and the opportunity for individuals to move into secure, sustainable accommodation.
People sleeping rough are given accommodation and are offered long-term support to turn their lives around with the prospect of a permanent home of their own.
This support programme includes life-skills courses at Open Door, run by Hightown HA, where people can access one-to-one support, advice on housing and benefits and help with mental health and wellbeing. There is also a daytime drop-in space for practical guidance and connection.
To volunteer to help with the Winter Beds Project, please email winterbedsproject@opendoorstalbans.org.
Anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough can contact opendoorstalbans@hightownha.org.uk.
For information about donating to a local charity that helps people sleeping rough, please go to https://opendoorstalbans.org/donating.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.