The Big Freeze: How The Light Project is helping rough sleepers in Peterborough during cold snap

The freezing weather is making things difficult for most residents – with the additional cost of heating homes coming so soon after the Christmas expense.

But for homeless residents, it is even more difficult – as they face a battle to find secure accommodation and food.

Peterborough City Council has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP), which means rough sleepers will be able to find secure places to stay while the freeze is on.

The council said around 30 people were taking advantage of that opportunity at the moment, with each individual provided with immediate practical support, including clothing and toiletries where required.

One of the organisations helping rough sleepers is The Light Project, based near Peterborough Cathedral.

The charity was founded 10 years ago, and is at the front line providing help for those who need it most.

Unsurprisingly, demand is particularly high at this time of year.

"We are open 365 days a year, and we are always busy, working to support those that sleep on the streets, but when the cold weather hits it is always that little bit more difficult.”

Paddy Berryman, services manager at the charity, said: “The weather has a massive impact. We are open 365 days a year, and we are always busy, working to support those that sleep on the streets, but when the cold weather hits it is always that little bit more difficult.

"The SWEP that means that those who are found rough sleeping are offered emergency accommodation does make a massive difference, but there are a lot of people that are struggling to be found, or need extra support.

"We have used up our stocks of coats, hats and gloves, we are doing our best to give out hot drinks and hot food when people are here on site, but the main thing we are trying to do is help people access services across the city, so drug and alcohol support, mental health support, physical health support. We have a health outreach bus that goes out to different locations to try and reach those that are in need that might not be accessing primary health care. That makes a big difference to those that are struggling in the cold. The cold affects people’s health massively, so having that provision makes a big difference.

"We have been providing bags of food and toiletries to all those that have gone into temporary accommodation”

"We have been providing bags of food and toiletries to all those that have gone into temporary accommodation, making sure they are starting off on the right foot, making sure they don’t have to leave that accommodation to go and find food on their first night, that they can get a wash and have a good nights sleep.

"We definitely see an increase in colder weather, people want somewhere warm to sit and be, somewhere welcoming and supportive – that makes a big difference to a lot of guys.

“But we are busy all year round. We are here every day of the year, doing our best.

"We are always giving out hats and gloves and coats and so on – but the main challenge we have is trying to heat the building we are in. We are in a beautiful building in the precincts of the Cathedral, but it is an older building, so energy bills are always sky high and as a charity we are always struggling to gather the funds and recourse to be able to keep ourselves open and keep the heating on.

"In the colder weather the storage heaters are running a bit longer and we are doing our best to make sure we are offering a warm place for people to come to – so the financial impact is always a big one for us.

Advice on how to help rough sleepers

"If you find someone who is sleeping on the streets, my advice is to send them to the Garden House, check if they have been here, call us and say we know that this person is here, there is the StreetLink App, if you don’t want to engage with someone or walk up to them and speak to them, you can always go on the Streetlink website (https://thestreetlink.org.uk/) or app and if you put someone’s location on there, it goes straight to the City Council’s team so they can go out to them.”

For more information about The Light Project, visit https://www.lightprojectpeterborough.org.uk/