Emergency homeless shelter in Salisbury runs out of beds in less than 24 hours
All emergency beds have been taken at Alabaré since severe weather plan was trigged
A homeless shelter in Salisbury has run out of beds within less than 24 hours after an emergency plan was activated due to severe cold weather.
The SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Plan) was trigged in Wiltshire yesterday (7 December), after the Met Office confirmed the region would experience negative temperatures for more than three consecutive nights.
Julia Mitchell, Service Manager at homeless charity Alabaré, told Greatest Hits Radio it's important to get as many people off the streets as possible during this time.
"SWEP was triggered by Wiltshire Council in response to sub-zero temperatures. Alabaré working with Wiltshire Council can support up to ten rough sleepers in Salisbury.
"We're a 41 bed hostel and when SWEP is triggered we work very closely with the council and they refer to us ten people, and the spaces were all filled yesterday.
"Our priority is getting people off the streets. I couldn't say how important it is to get people off (the streets), it can be a matter of life or death. It's vital, it's freezing out there."
There were an estimated 741 deaths of homeless people registered in England and Wales in 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Currently more than 75 people are being helped into short-term or long-term accommodation in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire Council says it works with rough sleepers throughout the year to help them find a place to stay and support to get back on track.
The work is carried out alongside charities like Alabaré and Encircles in Salisbury, which offer practical support as well as longer-term aid.
In October the council supported 40 rough sleepers via early morning outreach – this is where officers go out in pairs to engage with rough sleepers, take hot coffees and see what support can be provided.
Officers then arrange a follow up appointment to explore support and accommodation options.
How you can help someone sleeping rough this winter
As numbers of rough sleepers have increased nationally and locally, the local authority is urging residents to be aware of the best option to provide real support.
Julia Mitchell, from homeless charity Alabaré, says sometimes just striking a friendly conversation or providing someone with a hot beverage is a huge help.
"Say hello, you know? It can be scary and lonely (to be out on the street).
"(You can offer) a hot cup of coffee or soup... A lot of people won't say overnight with us, due to their own anxiety or mental health issues, but will still come during the day for a hot meal or a shower."
"We then work so close together with the council, we all know where these people are staying. These people who can't stay in for their own reasons, they're still checked on."
If people see someone on the streets they can provide details to Streetlink which connects rough sleepers with local services that can support them.
Streetlink will provide the council with details so officers can talk to the rough sleeper, help them find a warm place to stay and offer ongoing support.
During SWEP people can also call the council's Housing Solutions Service on 0300 456 0106 during office hours and the Emergency Duty Service on 0300 456 0100 thereafter if they are concerned about someone sleeping rough.