Every year a solution has been provided by Herefordshire Council and community organisations to provide a warm safe place to sleep for those rough sleeping in the county.
There are a range of charities that support people experiencing homelessness in our county, coordinated through the Herefordshire Homeless Forum.
Christine Price, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Herefordshire and chair of the Herefordshire Homeless forum said:
“All year round a range of agencies, charities and faith organisations work alongside the Council to support their provision and to help people in Herefordshire who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
“That support ranges from finding new homes, day and evening/weekend services with free food, showers, specialist advice and supported accommodation.
“It also includes access to vital health and wellbeing services and expert drop-ins.
“Anyone can become homeless at any time, for a wide range of reasons – whether that’s changes to financial circumstances, relationship breakdown, accidents, sudden unemployment, or no-fault evictions. But, everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home and we’re incredibly grateful to local people, businesses and other organisations who support these charities to make sure that people get the assistance they need to find and keep tenancies of their own.”
This year we are in need of help from our businesses and residents to support these efforts. We are looking for donations of shower gel, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash bags, sanitary items, biscuits, tea, coffee, hot chocolate & squash, which can be dropped off at The Salvation Army on Cannonmoor Street, Hereford HR4 9JJ Monday – Friday and Sunday 8:30 – 3:30pm or at The Kindle Centre Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JE, Near ASDA in Hereford which is open every day 9 – 5pm.
Thanks to the fabulous charities, churches and volunteers there is a warm space and free hot food available most days of the week but we are looking for any offers from our business community to provide a warm breakfast at 8am on weekends, or a hot meal between 6 – 7:30pm on Mondays Thurs, Fri and Sat.
If you think you can help please contact info@healthwatchherefordshire.co.uk or call 01432 277044.
Hereford Winter Night Shelter will be opening its doors from Monday 2nd December @8.00pm and is located at Arrow Building, Symonds Street, Hereford HR1 2HA.
For more information please call 01432 261600 and ask to speak to a member of the Rough Sleeper Outreach Team. Lines are open Mon – Fri 9.00 – 5.00pm.
If you want to donate to help homeless people this winter you can donate to Hereford Open Door online here https://wonderful.org/charities/1068184
If you’re concerned about someone that you have seen sleeping rough in Herefordshire please contact the Outreach team on 01432 261600 or report via Street Link at https://thestreetlink.org.uk/start – connecting people sleeping rough to local services.
