Coronavirus support to rough sleepers

CIVIC chiefs, volunteers and community groups are coming together to support homeless people across the city amid the coronavirus outbreak.  Hand sanitisers will be given to people sleeping rough while city bosses have confirmed that current support services will continue to operate over the coming months. The news comes as residents have been urged to avoid crowded places in a bid to stop the spreading of Covid-19.

Plans to support the most vulnerable people across the county are being drawn up.But it has been confirmed that services to support homeless people in Southampton will go ahead.

Cllr Satvir Kaur, cabinet member for homes and culture at Southampton City Council, said: “We know that this pandemic is severely affecting our poorest and most vulnerable. Southampton City Council are working with partner agencies and the voluntary sector to ensure all our communities are protected and supported, including those sleeping rough and/or at risk of homelessness. Our services are currently operating as normal and we will continue to operate these vital services over the coming weeks and months. Our street outreach teams continue to carry out outreach to identify rough sleepers and encourage them into accommodation, alongside working with healthcare colleagues to identify anyone who needs to self-isolate and making arrangements to ensure that this can be done safely. Thank you to everyone that continues to play a role in ensuring we are there for one another in Southampton.”

Paul Woodman, from Street Support Action Group, said City Life Church in Burgess Road will continue to provide soups to those in need every Friday night at 8pm. But from tonight they will also be providing hand sanitisers and tissues. Mr Woodman said they will follow the government advice on social distancing. But he added: “The key thing is to help them just as we are doing, to wash hand and have hand sanitisers and tissues.We are carrying on with our services.”

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