Plans for a 'winter shelter' for the homeless in Middlesbrough
DePaul is looking to get funding to set one up at a local church
We are hearing how a winter shelter for the homeless in Middlesbrough could be a 'vital stepping stone' for the town.
It is thought plans to set one up in a local church would help get people off the streets, if a charity can get the funding for it.
DePaul say it would not only be used during the winter months but all year round.
Martin Picken, the service manager in Middlesbrough, said: "We already work with a lot of the client group within our drop-in sessions providing support, so we know them. We've got a relationship with them. We could open a winter shelter to ensure that they have somewhere safe to go through the night, get a hot meal, food, access to services and through working with them, we get a move-on in terms of accommodation.
"When we're looking at it and we're looking at the bigger picture is that ideally this is something that should and could be all-year round. I think that's what's needed in Middlesbrough. These are the provisions but the shelter provision isn't there at the moment and I think that's needed due to the current climate that we're in at the moment.
"The numbers since last spring have been pretty consistent in respect of rough sleeping in Middlesbrough. The numbers vary between 15 to 40 at some points and that fluctuates. It just doesn't seem to be getting any easier, and sometimes you're kind of hoping in the winter that people actually find somewhere to go to get some help from family or friends."