JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TO HELP THE HOMELESS

IN doorways and bus shelters, on park benches and the sofas of friends, people without a bed are trying to find a safe place to sleep.

They come from all walks of life, of all ages and ethnicities. Increasingly, whole families are finding themselves without a home.

The average age of death of a homeless person is 47, while rough sleepers are almost 17 times more likely to have been a victim of violence in the past year.

Already Coventry City Council has said it must raise council tax to meet the rising demand for accommodation for the homeless.

Figures released in June for 2016/17 showed the authority helped 638 people and anticipate that figure will rise for 2017/18.

Charities are under increasing pressure as they have to deal with more and more people each year.

Now, with a bitterly cold winter approaching, they are facing a tough Christmas with forecasts predicting numbers are only set to go one way - up.

It’s a situation that shames the city.

Over the course of the next month, we will be highlighting the human face of homelessness.

We’ll be talking to those who are living with the reality of sleeping on the streets as well as those who are being helped by the wonderful charities that do such vital work across Coventry and Warwickshire.

And we’ll be showcasing the selfless efforts of countless volunteers who give up their spare time to try and help those in need.

Every one of them is a hero.

And you could be one too - along with shining a light on what’s really happening out on our streets, we’ll also be showing you practical ways in which you can help. Whether with time or donations, we can all play our part.

It’s time for action. It’s time to Help the Homeless.