Emergency Shelter For Rough Sleepers To Come In From The Cold

Published on: 26 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 27 Nov, 2019

As nights turn colder, members of Guildford’s Homeless Outreach and Support Team (HOST) say they are working extra hard to help rough sleepers to access accommodation and leave life on the streets behind.

HOST is commissioned by Guildford Borough Council and run by Riverside (a social housing and regeneration organisation, owning or managing around 55,000 homes in the UK), working in partnership with Number Five night shelter, Guildford Action drop-in, local hostels and further services during periods of severe weather.

Riverside’s HOST team help rough sleepers all year round. From left: Outreach support workers Jen Ashwood, John Talbot, Lucy Meadows and Adam Davey.

HOST offers every rough sleeper a warm bed, food, access to facilities and support.

The HOST team responds to reports from the public if they have seen a person sleeping rough. They visit locations and offer immediate practical and emotional support and a bed. No-one in Guildford is excluded from using the service through eligibility or status.

Ketan Patel, Riverside’s area manager for Guildford, said: “Before weather conditions worsen, we want to let people know about the HOST service which operates all year round, the special arrangements in place for winter and how the public can help.

“We are fortunate to have a range of services and a supportive council in Guildford to help homeless people, but we cannot be complacent.

“Tackling homelessness is a huge challenge; every person is unique and a key element of our work is to listen carefully and remain non-judgemental. It is challenging work, in what is sometimes a difficult environment, but there are specialist services out there to help with all kinds of issues.”

One such service HOST has highlighted is the Indigo Project. It provides additional support to rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness who are experiencing mental health problems.

Indigo is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and is run in partnership with Riverside, Guildford Borough Council and Surrey County Council’s adult social care team.

Riverside and Catalyst (a drug and alcohol counselling service based in Guildford) are also working in partnership on the newly formed Amethyst Project.

It helps rough sleepers with specialist outreach support for substance misuse, aiming to reduce use with a view to achieving abstinence in the future.

HOST says Indigo and Amethyst work together to overcome dual diagnosis barriers and to ensure a balanced approach to treatment and housing.

Ketan Patel added: “I want to reassure people that rough sleepers in Guildford are offered help all year round and are never forgotten.

“Rough sleeping is now very visible in our town centre, so if you see anyone rough sleeping please don’t hesitate to contact the HOST team.

“In winter, during periods of severe weather, additional emergency beds are funded by the council, in partnership with local homeless agencies, to ensure that no one has to sleep rough. We take every opportunity to encourage people to come in from the cold.”

Real Change Guildford is a community initiative raising funds generated from local businesses to end homelessness and to prevent people as risk of homelessness in Guildford. For more details visit: www.realchangeguildford.co.uk

You can help rough sleepers in Guildford by reporting any sightings or sharing any concerns you may have to the HOST team: GuildfordHost@riverside.org.uk or call 01483 302495.

Alternatively contact Streetlink via its website, the national rough sleeper reporting line. Tel: 0300 5000914.

If the person needs urgent medical attention, HOST advises people dial 999 for an ambulance immediately.

This story is based on a press release issued by Riverside.