Calls for new night shelter in Sheffield to house rough sleepers from 'Tent City'
After we told you last year about a 'Tent City' in Sheffield to house homeless people, there are calls for a shelter to be built so they can have a roof over their head this winter
Dozens of rough sleepers seeking shelter in tents in Sheffield need a roof over head as the cold weather continues - that's the message from organisers of the so-called Tent City.
We told you last year how tents had been pitched outside the old Park Hill flats in the city to highlight homelessness, after similar schemes elsewhere in the country.
Now a petition - which has reached over 700 signatures online - is calling for a new night shelter in the city centre to give them a roof over their head.
Julie Derby was one of those who set it up and say something needs to be done:
"Nobody chooses this - something has happened in their past and they need help. They need people to protect them - they're vulnerable. They need people.
"We've had 4 in the last week in hospital - one in intensive care. That is with sleeping out here on the streets. We're cold taking them stuff - they've got to sleep out there in that. It's madness. That's somebody's son and daughter out there, somebody's dad, somebody's mum.
"We just want an empty building where we can get the services to them - where they can come for safety. I appreciate all these places that help them but you tell me why they're not choosing to go to these places, because they're not safe, they're not being watched."
Organisers of the 'Tent City' claim four of the rough sleepers have been hospitalised in the last week due to the cold weather.
Andrew's one of the homeless people who have been living there - he says it's freezing:
"You're cold to your bones, you're just in pain all over your body - you feel like 30 years older. It's terrible. There's a lot of people and a lot of need - I think maybe we get brushed aside. I'm not saying we're more in needy than anyone else but we are in need and it is now."
Sheffield City Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“Rough sleeping and homelessness is taken very seriously in Sheffield and there are very good, well established local charities working with the council to provide support to people.
“The city has a range of hostel places offering beds and support, and the rough sleeper service can also get people into emergency accommodation very quickly.
“I know people want to help. We always say the best way is to work with the existing services. Visit www.helpushelp.uk for more information.”