Following the ongoing cold snap over the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area, St.Mungo’s are appealing for rough sleepers to attend emergency overnight spaces.
The emergency overnight spaces, located at St Stephens Church Hall in Bournemouth and Poole United Reform Church will be accommodating those who are sleeping rough overnight during the severe weather.
With temperatures dropping below 0°C during the night, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council have introduced a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol which is expected to remain in place until at least tomorrow – beginning on 18 January.
People are being encouraged to direct those in need to arrive at one of the two spaces at 8.30pm, with doors closing at 10 pm.
Andrew Teale, Outreach Manager at St.Mungo’s, says it is vital that those rough sleeping have access have the knowledge that these emergency spaces exist and have access to them.
Teale said: “With freezing temperatures forecast it is vital that everyone sleeping rough in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole knows where to access the warm and safe space that is available for them overnight tonight.
“Rough sleeping is always harmful to your health but in the current cold weather conditions there is a genuine risk of loss of life.”
Teale also added that those with well-behaved dogs will be welcome to attend the emergency spaces.
❄️Here's BUzz reporter Rob Edwards with all you need to know about how you can help rough sleepers in #Bournemouth and #Poole during the cold weather #swep: ❄️ pic.twitter.com/Tf4moEz2Mg
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Meanwhile, Councillor Kieron Wilson, the cabinet member for BCP Council, has urged for those sleeping rough to seek help.
Cllr Wilson said: “Rough sleeping is always dangerous, but during winter weather it is especially harmful as conditions can threaten the safety and wellbeing of people who are sleeping rough.
“No one should have to sleep rough, especially in temperatures as low as that forecast this weekend.”
The move to urge people towards shelter comes as part of a wider issue of rough sleeping with 2018 figures estimating 45 people sleeping rough across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
It is a problem that Lesley Dedman, councillor for Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe, recognises and is determined to address.
“There’s a lot of people who are rough sleeping. I don’t think anybody really wants to but a lot of them are in a condition where they do not want to come indoors. So what we can do is certainly put mental health help in place for people who have got a problem in that respect.”
#Christchurch Councillor Lesley Dedman, promotes the new council's passion for tackling the homelessness crisis in Bournemouth and its surrounding areas. pic.twitter.com/h7jBlGMCdd
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However, Dedman, the portfolio holder for Adult, Social Care and Health, argues that not everyone is willing to use indoor spaces.
“You’d be absolutely amazed at people who just do not wish to do that. There are many reasons partly because maybe somebody has had something stolen from their rucksack.
“They would genuinely rather be out on a park bench.”
Dedman added that there is potentially a greater outrage now from the council at rough sleeping as the council work together with St. Mungo’s in this period of cold weather.
“I think what the new administration feels, that perhaps the previous Bournemouth administration didn’t feel is that we feel absolutely heart-sick that people feel the need to sleep out in the open and we are doing everything we can to help, we are not putting bars on the benches.”
Anyone with any fears about an individual who is sleeping rough is encouraged to call St. Mungo’s on 01202 315962 or 999 if they are in need of emergency help.
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