Local residents have been asking me and other councillors what plans there are in place in Mendip for people that are Rough Sleeping in the current severe cold weather.   An emergency plan is meant to be activated to find people sleeping rough and get them into the warm, so people are checking exactly what was being done.  The Housing team at Mendip District Council informs me that such provision has been running for the last fortnight during this latest cold spell and up to 8 rough sleepers have been accommodated each night.  Please see below:

“Nobody needs to sleep rough in Mendip during the coldest weather. Safe and warm accommodation is provided in a hall in Shepton Mallet. To access this service, call 01749 677097 as early as possible. Spaces are limited, so phone early. This accommodation provision will cease when the temperature rises above zero.”  The accommodation is provided on camp beds in the Salvation Army Hall, Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BU.  The Hall will be supervised by a group of volunteers from the Connect Centre in Wells and is referred to as “Minus Zero” on their website. 

Access to the Salvation Army Hall is strictly between 10:00pm and 10:30pm only by pre booking. This can be done via telephone (01749 677097), the SLAP Drop In, open midday-2pm, Sunday to Friday at the Elim Connect Centre, Wells; and 2 – 4, the Red Brick Building, Moorlands, Glastonbury or via a service provider referral (such as Turning Point, the Police, CAB etc).  For further information contact Peter McGuire, Housing Options Team, Mendip Disttrict Council on 01749 341 507.

More information on night shelters and hostels in Somerset, Bath and Bristol, can be found here – http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CouncilService.asp?id=SX9452-A7812371

Report a rough sleeper, to get them some help

Anyone who sees or knows of anyone sleeping rough or living outside in Mendip (or Bath or Bristol) should contact the “Report a Rough Sleeper” telephone hotline and website (launched in winter 2011/12) to tell homeless agencies about them so that can get some help. The service, which is being supported by Mendip District Council, is part of a national initiative called No Second Night Out – designed to encourage better working between organisations that support single homeless men and women.

So call the 24hour helpline – 0800 917 7765, or go online at www.roughsleeperhelp.co.uk and let the agencies do the rest. 

I have used this number several times now on my way to work in Bath. For anyone sleeping rough in the Mendip area, the staff (at Julian House, Bath) will work with the outreach team at the Connect Centre in Wells who would give direct support.