Homelessness Partnership BCP launches innovative website in mission to end rough sleeping
It is aimed at those in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
The Homelessness Partnership BCP has reinforced its mission to ensure that everyone in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has a place to call home by taking the wraps off its new website and mobile portal.
Unveiled at the Homelessness Partnership BCP’s inaugural conference, Working Together to Prevent Homelessness, the website has been designed to help a broad spectrum of people.
This includes those who are facing a financial crisis and worried about losing their home, to others who have found themselves rough sleeping.
Created by digital agency V88.co.uk, and thanks to funders including Bournemouth University and the Valentine Trust, the resource has been tailored to help users track down urgent support at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a mobile phone screen.
Rise in cost of living
Those urgently requiring food will be able to see the Access to Food map, while people in need of clothing and everyday essentials can reach out to charities such as Hope Housing at their Hope & More shop.
As the cost-of-living crisis bites this autumn, residents in the BCP area who fear they could be at risk of losing their home and becoming homeless can use the site to contact the council’s Housing Advice Team via phone or email.
Anyone who is sleeping rough – or is concerned about the welfare of someone who is sleeping rough – can work through a few simple steps on the site including alerting the local Street Outreach team from St Mungo’s.
Alistair Doxat-Purser, chair of the Partnership Forum, said:
“The new Homelessness Partnership BCP website underpins the partnership’s commitment to ending homelessness – whether it’s helping people take early action to prevent them losing their home or giving people information on how to escape from the trauma of rough sleeping."
Alistair added:
“The portal also provides some simple steps for those who want to help by giving needed donations of toiletries, clothing or furniture; those who want to financially support through the Change for Good scheme, and those who want to give some time to volunteer using a link to the Community Action Network Volunteer Hub.
"It's all here in one place, custom designed for the BCP area – we wanted to keep it as simple as possible."
Organisations can also find out how to join the Homelessness Partnership, which is made up of those with lived experience of homelessness and representatives of statutory bodies such as the council, police, health and probation – along with businesses, charities, faith groups, universities and educational institutions.