Support for rough sleepers in Bath & North East Somerset

Organisations across Bath & North East Somerset are offering help to people who sleep rough or who at risk of becoming homeless this winter – and all year round.

Bath & North East Somerset Council and Homeless Partnership agencies work together throughout the year to ensure anyone rough sleeping has an offer of accommodation in severe weather.

Cafes across the area have also signed up to help rough sleepers by providing warm spaces and a hot drink during the day. The Genesis Lifeline Centre also offers day time facilities, including on Saturday mornings from 2 December. 

At Julian House’s Manvers Street Hostel in Bath, there is a takeaway food provision available for clients who are street rough sleeping. This is available for breakfast from 7am to 10am, lunch from 1pm to 2pm and dinner from 7pm to 8pm.

Anyone concerned about someone they have seen sleeping rough can alert the partner services via the StreetLink website or by calling 0300 500 0914 so that the person can be connected with local support. If the person is under 18, people need to contact the police.

People wishing to donate or volunteer to help people who sleep rough are asked to contact Julian House or DHI to find out what they need.

In Bath, Nationwide Building Society on Stall Street also has a ‘Tap and Donate’ point for contactless donations. Julian House administers the fund to help equip people with the items they need when they are moving on from sleeping rough.

BillyChip is a platform that allows the public to directly donate to rough sleepers without the fear of their donation being misused. The chips can be bought and redeemed in coffee shops and takeaways for food and drink. People can look out for the BillyChip symbol in café windows.

People are asked not to donate items that enable people to prolong living on the streets, including tents and bedding. The most dangerous item given to people sleeping rough is a camping gas stove which can be lethal if used inside tents. Giving any equipment can lead to a person becoming less likely to engage with services that can make long-lasting improvements to their lives.

Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development, said: “We work with our partners all year round to make sure no one needs to sleep outside in bad weather. If you’re at risk of homelessness or are already sleeping rough, please do come forward to find out about the overnight accommodation available and the warm places you can go to during the day.

“Anyone wishing to help people who are homeless are asked to contact the council, Julian House or DHI so that we can make sure your support reaches those who need it.”

Helen Bedser, Chief Executive at Julian House, said: “Homelessness is a year-round issue, but now that it’s getting colder life on the streets becomes even harder. Our emergency shelter on Manvers Street offers people who are sleeping rough food and accommodation when they need it, while our supported housing properties are available for individuals to ‘move on’ to when they are ready to take their next steps towards independence. Julian House and DHI outreach workers are out on the streets every day, connecting to rough sleepers and helping them to navigate their options.”

Rosie Phillips, CEO at DHI, said: “There is no need for anyone facing homelessness to go hungry or to sleep rough. Supported housing enables people to overcome the barriers they are facing and live a fuller, independent life and DHI offer access to all sorts of support for people with issues linked to harmful drug or alcohol use, poor housing or mental ill-health. However, for those who do fall through the cracks, and end up on the streets, Bath & North East Somerset Homelessness Partnership is working together to make sure everyone has an accommodation option at any time of the year.”

The council has also co-ordinated a directory of warm spaces which can be found here: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/warm-places-list. 

Contact details for the Homelessness Partnership organisations are: 

• Julian House – visit https://www.julianhouse.org.uk/, email admin@julianhouse.org.uk or call 01225 354650.
• DHI – visit https://www.dhi-online.org.uk/, email info@dhi-online.org.uk or call 01225 478730
• Genesis Trust – visit https://genesistrust.org.uk, email office@genesistrust.org.uk or call 01225 463549
• Mental health support from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership https://www.awp.nhs.uk/