Spare a thought for the homeless

IN this time of a new decade and new government recently in place, we ask readers to spare a thought for those experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness comes in all forms and is not just people sleeping on the streets. It can be someone living out of their car, a friend sofa surfing, someone using a hostel or a family of five stuck in a hotel, forced to share a single room.

There is a stigma associated with homelessness that often blames the individual but as a society, we know that it affects us all.

Homelessness has been rising over the last few years and it won’t stop rising unless there is instrumental policy change made.

Charities, like Crisis, and others in our city, can’t hold all the weight on their own. We need to address the issues causing homelessness, tackling root causes like the unaffordable and ever-increasing rental costs, the lack of social housing and the lack of support offered to individuals with learning difficulties, disabilities and mental health issues.

As members of Crisis Coventry and Warwickshire, who have experienced the isolation of homelessness, we ask your readers to hold their MPs to account the issues affecting homelessness, making sure these are a top priority in the coming months and years. Members of Crisis Coventry and Warwickshire

Perfect opportunity for real change

I REALLY hope our newly elected governement use its huge majority to bring this country together after years of chaos and spiteful argument.

With a new year almost here this is a wonderful opportunity for real change.

DECEMBER 24, 1962: All dressed up the senior consultant follows the tradition of operating on the turkey in the accident ward at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital.