Sponsored by
‘Rough sleepers will die if this cold spell continues’
Homeless people at the Hub Walton Street
WITH sub zero temperatures set to continue, Aylesbury’s homeless claim the closure of a ‘life-saving’ overnight service could result in some people freezing to death.
From December 1 last year until February 29, seven churches in the town have been taking it in turns to house up to 10 homeless people every night.
But when the scheme finishes at the end of this month, there will be no overnight accommodation and the town’s rough-sleepers will be back on the streets.
Since December, the seven churches taking part in the Winter Warmth scheme have accommodated 29 homeless people. By referring those who use the service to the relevant agencies, the scheme has helped secure permanent homes for 14 of them.
Winter Warmth is managed by Aylesbury Homeless Action Group, which is campaigning for a £40,000-a-year permanent overnight facility in the town. It is hoped that by having a permanent base, officials will find it easier to help rough-sleepers.
A homeless man, who asked not to be named, said: “It was alright in the summer in somewhere warm like by the library or a bus shelter.
“But I would have froze over the weekend without this service. This has kept us alive and fed and I would like to thank the people so much. They have been trying to help me get housed permanently as well.”
The Winter Warmth scheme is funded by private donations, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks County Council and the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust.
Denise Gibbs, manager of the action group, said: “The long term aim is to get them living in a permanent home. We are building a relationship of trust to allow them to accept the help that is available to them and make them aware of what is available.
“More often it is people losing their jobs, then because of benefit cuts they can’t get enough to live where they are living.
“They are embarrassed and mortified that it can happen to them, but it can happen to anybody. In the present climate, unemployment is on the rise and so is homelessness.
“We need a permanent night shelter. There will still be people becoming homeless in March and April.”
Suzanne Scott, who has volunteered with the Winter Warmth project since December, said: “I was appalled that there was nowhere in Aylesbury for homeless people to go other than between December and February.
“In most towns or cities there is something, I wanted to do something to help. But I’m worried, March and April can be cold and these people literally have nothing.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
EJ
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:15 PMPlenty of space to bed them down in the theatre for a few nights. It cost the public enough, might as well put it to public use. It cost £47m, I'm sure they can spare a £40,000 corner in it somewhere.
Neilbra
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 09:08 AMWhy not turn some of the MANY unused business properies into temporary shelters for the homeless, instead of just letting them fall to rack and ruin?
JR
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:51 PMI've just realised, the reason why our beloved and most glorious leaders (in whose wondrous light we bathe) do not give a monkeys about our frail elderly and people who sleep rough is simply because they no longer serve a useful purpose to society. If you cannot contribute financially then you no longer count. Next step will be to utilise the long-term unemployed... Soylent green anyone.
ay
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:00 PMH
JR
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 05:26 PMFunny how 'we' can waste £47million on a vanity project for the well-to-do and yet we cannot do anything for our more vulnerable members of society. Not just talking about our homeless, but also those affected by the fiasco that is Plan Care. BTW, I do know of a house in Aston Clinton that has plenty of space available (still), I'm sure the owner would be more than happy to help out!
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.