Sadly, due to the restrictions of COVID, instead of gazebos, leaflets and face-to-face chats, partners will instead show their virtual and online solidarity for World Homeless Day this Saturday.
The Council’s emergency response to those bedded down, or at risk of rough sleeping during the pandemic lockdown, accommodated 260 unique individuals and has moved over 120 people on into more settled housing.
Without support from all our partners on the ground including: Alana House (PACT), Berkshire Women’s Aid, British Red Cross, Citizen’s Advice Reading, Change. Grow. Live, CIRDIC, Communicare, Faith Christian Group, First Stop/Sanctuary, Greyfriars Church, Launchpad Reading, New Beginnings, NHS Health Outreach Liaison Team (HOLT), Providence Chapel, RAHAB, Reading Minster, Reading Refugee Support Group, Reading Samaritans, SADAKA, the Salvation Army and St Mungo’s, this achievement would not have been possible.
As Reading’s Homelessness Partnership, we aim to:
- educate residents about local homeless issues
- celebrate and support the work of our homelessness organisations
- promote alternative ways to give to people who are seen bedded down
- encourage volunteering
- extend thanks to everyone wanting to support the most vulnerable members of our communities
To find out more about organisations and community groups supporting homeless people and families in Reading please visit www.streetsupport.net/reading/
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can alert local Reading outreach services via the Streetlink App, at www.streetlink.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 4444.