News / homelessness
Campaigning for a homeless day shelter in Bristol
According to Bristol City Council, the number of rough sleepers in the city rose by 23 per cent in 2018 but it hopes to eradicate the issue completely by 2027.
However, rough sleeper Paul Blake is calling for immediate support from the council in the form of a communal shelter for the homeless community that is open during the day.
Supported by Shelter, Roots Independent Street Team and Caring in Bristol, Paul has started a petition to force the council to recognise the need for daytime provision. Paul is stationing himself in the Galleries with his petition most days and using social media to get people signing the petition online.
is needed now More than ever
“The idea of the petition is to support homeless people with human basic needs that they have not got due to being homeless and hopefully teach them life skills,” says Paul.
“Then they can learn to survive once they have a place to live and be able to keep hold of it and not become homeless again.”
Paul Blake campaigning in the Galleries
The lack of daytime provision for rough sleepers means that individuals don’t have anywhere to shower, wash their clothes, cook meals and live comfortably during the day.
Many homeless services close in the morning and don’t reopen again until 9pm, meaning those living on the streets have no where do go for at least 12 hours each day.
Daytime provision is currently spread across the city. At The Methodist Centre in Lawrence Hill, support includes hot drinks and food, showers, support and advice, as well as access to computers and phones, a health clinic, and a postal address at. The Wild Goose Cafe offers meals in Easton and Roots Independent Street Team’s give out clothes and food weekly on College Green.
However, there are gaps in provision on weekday afternoons from 3.30pm and 8pm and very little available for the homeless community at the weekend.
Paul’s petition currently has 1,700 signatures has gained backing from prominent figures, including MP Thangam Debbonaire and comedian Russell Howard.
But for the issue to be discussed by the council a further 1,800 signatures are needed and Paul is calling more more people to sign his petition before the deadline closes in three weeks.
Lois Wentworth, an outreach volunteer at Roots Independent Street Team says: “We’re really proud to support Paul and the important work that he is doing to petition for a day shelter in Bristol.
“Other things are just as vital as sleeping with a roof over your head – such as access to clean running water and laundry facilities.
“A simple place where these things are available could make a huge difference to the comfort of our homeless community in Bristol, which is why the issue that Paul is addressing with his petition is so important.”
You can sign the petition at www.democracy.bristol.gov.uk.
Read more: Bristol’s homelessness and rough sleeping strategy
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