Former rough sleeper in Wiltshire calls for public to support those on streets
'Alice' has shared her story to encourage us to help out
A woman who spent nights sleeping rough in a tent on Wiltshire streets has shared her story in a bid to encourage us to help others in the same situation this winter.
The woman - who we're calling Alice - lived in fear that her possessions could be taken from her at any point.
However, after support from the Rough Sleepers Team at Wiltshire Council, Alice is getting back on her feet in her own home.
"I feel safe and comfortable," she says, adding: "I love being in my own place, day to day I can get up and make coffee, tea, whatever I want and sit, watch tele or listen to the radio.”
Alice became homeless following the death of her partner's sister. They moved from Northern Ireland to Wiltshire in order to be closer to her partner's mum, staying with a friend.
But she says that relationship "turned sour", leaving them on the streets.
The Rough Sleeper team initially put the pair into a hostel called The Haven, before aiding them in moving to more permanent accommodation.
Alice said that she feels safer and that her mental health is improving.
Alice is sharing her story as a call to everyone to support rough sleepers and get them to safety and warmth.
We can do this by using StreetLink, a website that allows us to notify local authorities of people sleeping rough.
It allows support to arrive where people are sleeping on the streets, helping get them to a warm and safe environment.
Alice said she never gives money to those sleeping rough, rather fetching them a hot drink and something to eat, and advising them to contact StreetLink, or even helping them to do it if they're unable to.
In the last 12 months, Wiltshire's Rough Sleeper team has supported over 275 people who were sleeping on the streets.
Through additional government funding, the council has added an additional 15 bed spaces and through the Building Bridges Programme a number of individuals have been supported to return to employment, voluntary work and college courses. Three long-term rough sleepers who in total had slept rough for a total of 54 years were moved into accommodation.
Cllr Phil Alford, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It’s very hard to hear these stories of how people sleeping rough can feel, trying to sleep or feel safe while living in very difficult conditions. Our team is here to help guide them into a warm, safe place and eventually into a permanent place to stay, along with helping get the practical things in place such as finding a GP and ensuring the support is there.
“We have put serious investment into this area to create new bed spaces and we have a strong Rough Sleepers Team, so that ongoing support is available for people to make that transition from being on the streets into a warm home.
“Our message again is if you do see someone sleeping rough to let us know so our team can step in and start helping. Please contact Streetlink and they will give us the details and we can take it from there.”