Coronavirus: Appeal for donations to help Peterborough’s rough sleepers

The council said: “It’s never been more important for rough sleepers to be safer off the streets than now. The Safer Off the Streets partnership – of which Peterborough City Council is a member – is working together to help support those sleeping rough during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

Appealing for the public’s help, it added: “Demands on food banks, soup kitchen and Light Project Peterborough services have increased and volunteer numbers decreased.

“Members of the public are encouraged to continue to donate food supplies or money to their local food banks, the Peterborough Soup Kitchen and Light Project Peterborough. Details on how to volunteer and donate can be found at www.peterboroughsoupkitchen.org.uk, peterborough.foodbank.org.uk and www.lightprojectpeterborough.org.uk.”

The council has outlined what support it is giving rough sleepers during the current health crisis:

Accommodation - Self-contained accommodation is being provided to vulnerable rough sleepers to self-isolate in.

The Peterborough Winter Night Shelter and emergency crash bed facility closed last night due to the latest Government guidance. Rough sleepers who accessed these services are also being moved into self-contained accommodation.

Outreach services - The council is engaging with rough sleepers, including handing out a Covid-19 information leaflet. Anyone falling into the vulnerable groups has been provided with accommodation where they are able to self-isolate.

Drop-in services - Light Project Peterborough’s Garden House drop-in centre currently remains open for rough sleepers to seek help as an emergency service. To minimise numbers coming in the Garden House it is only able to support those sleeping rough. Good hygiene and social distancing is being observed.

Food banks - Peterborough Food Bank continues to provide emergency food parcels at all of its location but is moving its operations to Dogsthorpe Methodist Church, Birchtree Avenue, six days a week, between 11am and 1pm.

Referrals will be made via e-vouchers/unique codes. People self-isolating who can afford to buy food but cannot leave their homes should contact the local council who are setting up a co-ordination hub to help.

Meals - Peterborough Soup Kitchen has had to cease operation today due to issues with social distancing.

The council said: “Discussions are in progress on a solution on how to stop large groups gathering for food and they hope to be up and running again shortly, possibly at a different location. Food stock is also reduced and demand is increasing.”