New winter accommodation has launched this week

21 December 2021

Working in partnership with organisations from the Single Homelessness Forum in West Northamptonshire, we have launched ‘Safe and Sound’, a winter accommodation project for people sleeping rough.

Individual rooms will help protect them from the increasing spread of COVID-19, by providing somewhere safe to stay, regular meals and bathroom facilities.

The service launched yesterday (Monday 20 December) and will continue through to the end of March, through a partnership with the University of Northampton, which also supported our efforts during the Government’s ‘Everyone In’ project last year.

“We are working with a wide range of partners to provide this facility and we are so grateful for the support everyone is offering.
 
“It is vital that we do all we can to protect everyone from COVID, especially during the winter months when viruses tend to spread far more quickly.
 
“This is particularly important, now we have a new variant that we know so little about, and we need to make sure everyone is up to date with their vaccinations, though we’ve already done a lot of work around this alongside Public Health England.
 
“We know that there might be a few people sleeping rough who are reluctant to engage with the service, and we will continue to enact our severe weather emergency protocol should we need to.”Cllr Adam Brown, West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure

Safe and Sound will run alongside services already provided through the Single Homelessness Pathway, which supports many people who are sleeping rough or are at risk of doing so to address their challenges and transition to settled housing.

Partnership

The partnership working involved to set up and run Safe and Sound includes a wide range of services provided by the Hope Centre, including food, employability and financial advice, and direct access to mental health support.

We are also working with charitable organisations, like the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Club, which are providing food, clothing, toiletries, and a few little luxuries to make people’s stay a bit more special.

Workers from a range of agencies will be on hand, offering a comprehensive package of support services to address health issues and improve life chances.

Colleagues from our Adult Social Care team and the new Northampton Homeless Treatment Team will be available with help to tackle drug and alcohol addiction and ensure physical health issues are addressed.

We will also be working with our housing provider partners, including Keystage Housing, which runs the Homeless Assessment Rapid Resettlement Pathway (HARRP) at Trinity House in Northampton, and NAASH.

International Lighthouse will also be helping us liaise with those from other countries around possible repatriation or gaining settled status, whichever is the most appropriate solution.

“Those involved in bringing this together have worked tirelessly for it.
 
“Making it happen will be a source of gladness for them, and more so for those it helps. Built of experience and hard work during this pandemic, we're in a good position to make a difference and to contribute to holding back the tide of coronavirus.
 
“No one comes off the streets due to the sole work of just one organisation – it is always partnership between different agencies which makes the difference. This is really good news, for those who need good news the most.”Father Oliver Coss, rector of All Saints Church in Northampton and a member of the Single Homelessness Forum

The scheme is being funded through the Government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) fund for this year.

How you can help

All known rough sleepers are being contacted and provided with details of how to access the Winter Accommodation. However, if you know someone who is sleeping rough in Northampton, Daventry, or South Northants areas and requires access to the accommodation, please:

• Advise them to contact the relevant locality team by calling 0300 126 7000
• Call our Northampton Outreach team directly on 07775 036773
• Make a report online through Street Link