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Supporting work of those helping rough sleepers

Posted onPosted on 5th Aug

The Mayor of Mansfield joined a street outreach team to see the work that is being done to support rough sleepers in the district.

Andy Abrahams already had knowledge of the homeless community and the issues surrounding rough sleeping because he had volunteered at the Beacon Project for two years.

He asked to go out with Framework’s outreach team, which is funded by Mansfield District Council and countywide funding.

The council has been awarded £187,407 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to deliver the council’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy, which aims to prevent residents from becoming homeless and ensures any rough sleeping is brief and doesn’t happen again.

This is in addition to two funding bids secured in partnership with other Nottinghamshire districts. The Rough Sleepers Initiative awarded the county £450,000 to continue to support existing homeless outreach services and enhance this provision by employing a prescribing nurse and social worker.

The Rapid Rehousing Pathway awarded the county £546,796, of which Mansfield will secure a significant amount, to secure additional supported housing for those with complex needs. Mansfield will be employing a landlord liaison officer to increase available accommodation for homeless families.

Mansfield District Council said it continued to support a co-ordinated approach through the Mansfield Homeless Network. The council set up www.mansfieldstreetsupport.co.uk to raise awareness of existing charities and groups helping the Mansfield street community, and to ensure that offers of cash, food and volunteering time are directed in the best way.

Supporting those most in need, day to day, are soup kitchens and special street community surgeries for those with medical needs.

If anyone has concerns about someone who appears to be rough sleeping, contact the 24-hour hotline on 0800 066 5356 or text SOT to 80800 followed by a message. Reports can also be made at www.streetlink.org.uk