Your say / Society

‘This petition could be a life-saver’

By Laura Hounsom  Monday Nov 23, 2015

Living in a busy city, walking the streets every day, it’s all too easy to let everything fade into the background. Then, every so often, something will come along to remind me why I love this place; what drew me here to start with.

During the last month, with Sanctum hosting 24 days of non-stop performance, all for free, I was reminded how full of talent Bristol is. But Bristol is also full of empathy, and drive and – most importantly right now – hope for the future. 

For this reminder, I have to thank Elisha Hindley-Cupper. Last week, she started a petition asking the council to follow Manchester’s lead, and consider opening up empty buildings for use as temporary homeless shelters in winter. 

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I signed straight away. How could I not? It’s the right thing to do. Every day in winter, homeless people are forced to risk death or illness from exposure, while buildings that could provide shelter sit empty.

In the words of the petition: “I cannot imagine sleeping rough in driving, biting winds, snow, ice and winter rain. It’s inhumane. It’s also inexcusable when we have so many empty buildings.”

Of course, an empty building is just that: shelter at its most basic. Since taking the decision to open unused spaces, Manchester City Council has also been working with charitable organisations within the city in order to provide healthcare and support services alongside physical protection from the elements. 

This petition doesn’t pretend to offer a long-term solution, or to have solved all the problems.

But it could be a bolster to organisations like the Julian Trust, a night shelter in St Paul’s who already work so hard to help those living on the streets.

It could be a life-line for anyone suffering the dangers of homelessness. It is a start, a potential first step in the process of helping people off the streets altogether. 

As I write this, more than 8,000 people have signed the petition; an incredible achievement in just over nine days. With the weather getting worse, and the long winter months looming, Elisha and the other organisers don’t want to waste any time.

On Tuesday, we will be presenting the petition to Bristol City Council at a public forum meeting. So thank you, everyone who has shared and signed their name so far to show that you care about this city’s people. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to make this work.

 

Read more: ‘Sleeping rough inhumane with empty buildings’

Photo: lulu2626 / Shutterstock.com

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