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BRAY AREA ROUGH SLEEPERS SUPPORT HAS BEEN DOING NIGHTLY ROUNDS FOR FIVE YEARS
AT LEAST 10 people are sleeping rough in the Bray area on any given night, according to Kelly Tormey of Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support.
The group also helps a further 10 or so of what she said are the ‘ hidden homeless’. They may have accommodation such as a sofa, or be in the cold weather initiative hostel, but otherwise have nothing to eat or drink in the evening. BARSS was started in November 2015. ‘ The whole purpose was to bridge the gap for rough sleepers from the time normal services close,’ said Kelly. ‘ They close and then people might have nothing to tide them over to the next morning.’
Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves operates a day centre in Bray, at which service users can get breakfast, a hot lunch, other refreshments and supplies and a shower. The volunteers drive to designated points around the town, to hand out a bag to each person in need, containing crisps, a bar, fruit, a drink and a sandwich, as well as something warming like a pot noodle or soup. They also supply personal items when needed, as well as sleeping bags and tents. ‘We go out every night, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve,’ said Kelly. We set out at 8 and stay out for however long it takes, which depends on numbers.’
At the start, they might have seen only a handful of people during a week. ‘We wouldn’t even see people every night when we started out,’ said Kelly. Over time, as their name and reputation has become known and respected, that number has increased. ‘We would now have up to just shy of 20,’ said Kelly. ‘It grew as they started to know a bit more about us and the name started to get out there.’
Kelly said that the service users would include rough sleepers, hostel users, and perhaps couch surfers. ‘ They might be put up by friends and don’t want to burden them wit the responsibility of feeding them,’ said Kelly. The volunteers operate on a rota, with the food prepared by whoever is going out that night. ‘On bank holiday weekends we try to bring out hot food as Five Loaves doesn’t open on Sundays or bank holidays,’ said Kelly. She said that they receive donations of supermarket vouchers, or perhaps trays of sandwiches left over from a funeral or other gathering. When local pubs closed in March, many of them gave their produce to BARSS, otherwise it would have been wasted.
Kelly said that they have received donations of money before, which goes to the outdoor adventure store on Bray’s Killarney Road for ground sheets, sleeping bags and tents. She said that the store provides such items at a discount for the service. ‘Some people have told us that they’ve actually slept out under the stars, without a tent,’ said Kelly. ‘At least 10 of our service users are sleeping outdoors,’ she said.
She said that the cold weather initiative emergency accommodation in Bray is remaining open for now due to Covid-19, although it usually closes in the spring. It was announced this week that plans are being made to move its 12 residents to alternative accommodation more suitable during the outbreak of the virus. This will be in premises earmarked for homeless accommodation for people in the short, medium and long term. A big fear for Kelly and the other volunteers was the possibility of the virus going in to the hostel. ‘ There are 12 beds and no room for isolation,’ she said. ‘ The fear is that if something broke out, they could all have it in no time.’ In the new facility, each person will have their own room.
BARSS is facing some challenges caused by the current Covid-19 crisis. ‘Some volunteers can’t safely go out as they have underlying conditions or are over the 65 mark,’ said Kelly. ‘We’ve cut down our numbers going out each night to space it out over the week.’
Generally three or four volunteers go out at a time. Currently it’s two, and they’re trying to ensure the team members are from the same household.
They are also keeping a safe distance from service users, having explained to them why it’s necessary for now.
Kelly said that the isolation itself can be hard on the service users, who would be used to chatting to people around the town. People might usually have bought a cup of coffee for some people. ‘ The isolation is definitely taking its toll,’ said Kelly. She said that BARSS volunteers do stop and have a chat with people as they do their rounds. ‘We might be first people someone speaks to all day,’ said Kelly. She said that some
BARSS users have underlying conditions, are perhaps over the age of 60 and given their difficult circumstances may not be in great health. Volunteers going out each evening have gloves and hand sanitiser and are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of their clients.
The usual roster includes 45 members, although some of those are unable to participate at the moment.
The voluntary group currently receives no state funding and relies on donations from the public or within the organisation.
Kelly said that a spend of around €130 in Tesco will do for supplies for a few weeks. ‘We have a great relationship with the service users. If they’re stuck for anything they’ll tell us and whatever it is we’ll do our best to get it,’ said Kelly.
‘It’s very hard to see. You come home some nights when it’s absolutely pouring rain and you feel almost guilty walking in the door of your house.’
Anyone who needs help from BARSS, knows someone who needs help, or wishes to volunteer, can contact the group via its Facebook page.