Coronavirus: 80 rough sleepers supported in Peterborough - and many will now seek permanent accommodation

In March, the Government issued advice to councils that all rough sleepers should be given temporary accommodation as they are a vulnerable group, with many suffering from ill health due to their lives on the streets.

Within 24 hours, the council and Light Project Peterborough had housed a total of 25 rough sleepers in individual hotel rooms to encourage social distancing and then mobilised partners who can provide support including drug and alcohol services, mental health support and medical and prescription services.

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Volunteer groups from the Safer Off the Streets partnership - a city-wide collaboration - and the wider community have supported the council and Light Project Peterborough to ensure all the guests are given three meals a day and clothes are laundered, on top of other essential supplies.

An army of more than 60 volunteers has kicked into force, delivering 24/7 services within hours to help the former rough sleepers settle into their new temporary homes and self-isolate to protect themselves from Covid-19. This includes liaising with multiple food outlets and donors to co-ordinate more than 1,500 meal per week for 80 former rough sleepers who are now housed.

Daily update meetings are now being held seven days a week with key partners to coordinate this effort.

Steven Pettican, chief executive at Light Project Peterborough, said: “We have been humbled by the number of volunteers, both within the Light Project Peterborough and in partner organisations, who have gone out of their way to provide food, support and a listening ear to the former rough sleepers.

“Providing three meals a day has been a military operation – particularly for charities like ours who rely on volunteers and have effectively had their fundraising dry up during Covid-19.

“We’ve also been providing a listening service, encouraging them to reflect on their current situation and to ask themselves if they really want to return to the streets once they press ‘play’ on their lives again. The feedback we’ve received from individuals who genuinely want to turn their lives around has made this worth it.”

Cllr Steve Allen, cabinet member for housing at Peterborough City Council, said: “The support that has been received from the Light Project Peterborough and the wider Safer Off the Streets partnership has been nothing short of amazing. Especially as many of the partners are volunteers working for charities whose funding has been severely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“For many of the former rough sleepers, the experience of being in a hotel room and eating three hot meals a day has been a positive one. We have found that the vast majority are grateful and appreciative of the support they are receiving and are viewing this as the impetus they needed to turn their lives around and are now engaging with the council, ourselves and other partners to work through the issues that led them to a life on the streets.

“We will be doing all we can and call on the local housing associations to work with us to find accommodation for those who decide to stay off the streets for good, once the Government’s social distancing restrictions are over.”

Peterborough Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army and The 3 Pillars have also been active in supporting the council to provide breakfasts and lunches, and when needed Peterborough Foodbank has helped with supplies.

Aspire has been able to engage with adults with substance misuse issues to provide drug and alcohol support.

The Garden House, run by Light Project Peterborough, continues to operate emergency service for anyone finding themselves homeless from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. Citizens Advice Peterborough and the homelessness prevention team continue to provide advice and assistance to clients threatened with homelessness remotely.

Christine Graham, chair of the Safer off the Street’s partnership, said: “A total of 80 rough sleepers have been provided with safe accommodation in the city - ensuring some of the most vulnerable people can stay safe during the pandemic. This is a remarkable achievement for all those who volunteers have played their part.”

To make a donation to the Safer Off the Streets partnership, visit: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/10412#!/DonationDetails#%2FDonationDetails.

To make a donation to the Light Project Peterborough’s Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Pborohomelesscoronavirusemergencyappeal.