Homelessness charity YMCA Bournemouth is aiming to empower and improve the life of vulnerable people across Bournemouth as colder temperatures approach.
When the temperature is forecast to drop below zero degrees celsius for more than three days, SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) means that YMCA and other providers can open up any areas that they can to help the homeless.
Speaking about the change in temperature, YMCA housing lead Sarah Watson expressed the challenges that she faces and how important it is to get housing for the vulnerable in the area.
“We will open up any space we have. If we have got an office that can be used for a couple of beds or if we have extra rooms, we allocate those rooms to any rough sleepers for a couple of nights.”
The success of the 2025 ‘BIG Sleep Easy’ event, in which over 130 people spent a night sleeping rough in Hurn, has led to more fundraising events such as bingo and film nights to offer support.
With the Prime Minister pledging his commitment to end long term rough sleeping in England ‘at the earliest opportunity,’ YMCA are hoping this will allow for more staff and more personal support for those in need.
Sarah said: “Our clients would get more one-to-one support. I have a team of 12 that oversee 114 residents, having more staff means that the staff get more time to spend with individuals. It can only be positive.”
In July, Andy Burnham announced a new £340 million plan to reduce rough sleeping in the UK, including funding 1,200 more new homes.
Recent funding from Nationwide has allowed the organisation to focus on resettlement.
Sarah added: “Our clients that are ready to move on now have access to things they need. If you have been rough sleeping and haven’t got a birth certificate or passport, we can now buy photo ID and get them ready for moving on.”
Around 1,350 people are estimated to be homeless in the BCP area – with 72 of them sleeping rough.
YMCA statistics also show that people sleeping on the street are almost 17 times more likely to have be victims of violence.
As well as their positive work helping the homeless, they also provide life-changing youth work, and health and wellbeing centres to support the vulnerable in the area.
George Bartlett, a youth worker at YMCA, spoke on the importance that news initiatives can have: “We know that many of our young people are being affected by the cost of living.
“We work directly with young people to provide reassurance and pastoral care, whilst also working with our in-house food bank, or signposting to other services to try and alleviate the cost of living.”
YMCA has two pathways into its accommodation: the hostel in Westover Road has 73 beds over six floors, whilst smaller living spaces on Hinton Road, Frances Road and in Branksome are also available.
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