Residents Urged to Come to the Aid of Borough's Rough Sleepers

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How to help people find day and night shelter during the current severe weather

Local residents are being urged to help rough sleepers in the current very cold weather.

With temperatures plunging, Hammersmith & Fulham Council activated its Severe Weather Emergency Plan, which means emergency shelter is available to anyone sleeping rough.

The council has also increased its outreach visits with local homeless charity St Mungo’s.

If you are concerned about someone who you think is sleeping rough, you can log their location using the app from StreetLink. The information is passed to the outreach team – who will then know how to find them.

StreetLink, set up by charities Homeless Link and St Mungo’s logs concerns from all over the country and then feeds it back to the people who can help them.

Each time a member of the public logs their concerns for someone, it helps paint a picture of the support that’s needed in the area. This data can then be used in important ways, such as helping support workers focus their efforts on areas where they may be needed most, and enabling charities to get a better chance of securing funding.

You can download the StreetLink app on Google Play or the App Store.

H&F Council says outreach is a key part of its work implementing the recommendations of the H&F Rough Sleeping Commission.

The commission was run by six homelessness experts led by Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis. They highlighted how prevention, and a fast response to help rough sleepers off the street as soon as possible was vital. You can find out more aout the H&F Rough Sleeping Commission here.

Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, said: “No one needs to sleep outdoors in this very cold weather and we’re doing everything we can to keep people safe.”

“If you’re worried about a rough sleeper, please download the Streetlink mobile app and let us know immediately.”

Barons Court Project is also providing Severe Weather Emergency Provision so that rough sleepers and those in night shelters, who have to be out all day, can stay warm and safe.

The project, at 69 Talgarth Road says its premises are open from 10.30am each day for hot showers, endless hot drinks, a meal and the warmest of welcomes and say if you see anyone who is homeless please let them know the doors are open.

If you wish to sponsor a meal, you can for £2.50 or just £1 will pay for endless Tea or Coffee for a rough sleeper.

You can donate at the project's JustGiving page and find out more about its work and how you can get involved at its Barons Court Project.