In September 2013 StreetLink, a new campaign to help rough sleepers, was launched across Dorset.
Over 2000 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on any one night in England. The Department of Communities and Local Government recorded 39 rough sleepers across Dorset in 2012. In the Poole area the annual street count conducted in November 2012 found 16 rough sleepers – an increase of 25% over the previous year (and the highest ever seen by Routes to Roots).
New research shows that nearly half (48%) of all adults said they felt guilty when they see a rough sleeper and do not know the best way to help; 46% would welcome an easy way to take action. The Streetlink Service comprises a telephone line, website and app to enable concerned people to help connect rough sleepers to the local advice and support that may be available to them.
People can take action by making a phone call, through the website or by downloading the free app. Posters giving this information will be displayed at libraries, medical centres and other locations across the county, and stickers will be displayed on parking meters.
StreetLink is an England-wide service, run by the charities Homeless Link and Broadway, funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and supported by the Dorset Rough Sleepers Partnership (a partnership of all the six Local Authority housing departments in Dorset). The Dorset Rough Sleepers Partnership has also adopted the government’s official ‘No Second Night’ policy, ensuring that rough sleepers do not have to spend a second night sleeping rough on the streets in Dorset. It has been awarded £304,000 for this purpose.
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, Borough of Poole, said: “By signing up to Streetlink, housing authorities across Dorset are offering residents a simple way to help people they see sleeping rough. It is never easy to witness a person in that situation and a call to Streetlink could make a massive difference to someone.”
Tel: 0300 5000 914 (24-hour)
http://www.streetlink.org.uk