How you can help someone sleeping rough in the cold

SNOW has left people on Newcastle’s streets facing bitterly cold and unhealthy conditions as they struggle to stay warm and dry. For the North East’s homeless population, today’s extreme weather could mean serious issues.

Kevin Waggott, of the Changing Lives city outreach programme, says the charity’s drop in centre has been even busier than usual. He said: “The cold and wet are really really having an impact on the quality of life of people who often have quite a low quality of life to begin with.

“At our drop-in centre people can dry their clothes, which is really important in this weather - we had one of our regulars, an older man, come in and his clothes and both his sleeping bags were soaked through. If he hadn’t been able to dry them that would have just got worse and worse. Being cold and wet all the time has a big long-term impact on physical health, but also on people’s mental health – it is really depressing to be constantly wet and cold.”

The falling snow can also put vulnerable people at risk by making them seek shelter in places they might otherwise avoid – returning to abusive relationships, accepting a place on a floor or sofa from someone they don’t know well, or even being driven to offer sex in exchange for somewhere to stay.

The cold weather can mean people are forced to choose between a dry spot, such as an underpass, which is in public view, risking attacks, and somewhere more secluded but out in the open. Kevin said: “People we come across are often at high risk from members of the public - they will kick them or throw a punch while they’re sleeping, we see a lot of people who are spat at, or there will be verbal abuse.”

So if you see someone sleeping in the city on a snowy night, what can you do to help?

Kevin said: “One of the best things people can do is be aware of the services on offer, so if people are sleeping rough they know what help they can be getting.

“We run our drop-in centre, on City Road, in the week, and you can contact streetlink [0191 278 3899 or roughsleeping@ newcastle.gov.uk] if you see someone sleeping rough, and that’s passed on through the council so we can go out and help.

“There are also lots of places in the city, like the People’s Kitchen, offering food. We don’t advise that people give money, but if you want to buy someone a cup of tea or a meal then of course you can.” Reporter THE North East awoke to a blanket of snow yesterday morning after a heavy overnight downfall.

More than 90 schools were forced to close and many motorists suffered nightmare journeys due to the treacherous conditions.

Some of the region’s major roads were closed and flights were also grounded.

Durham Police warned motorists to drive “only if absolutely necessary”, as the icy weather caused a number of accidents and left traffic crawling along major roads.

Two lanes of the A1 were blocked in the morning after a crash northbound between Chester-le-Street, at junction 63, and Washington (J64).

Then the A19 was closed northbound at the Billingham turn-off and at Hartlepool after it was judged too dangerous to drive on the icy carriageway.

Driving on the A19 between Peterlee and Sunderland, motorist Anth Day reported “treacherous conditions” and crashes with snow visible on the surface of the road.

He said: “At least two jackknifed lorries, broken down cars and traffic at a standstill.”

The two lorries, which had collided near Testo’s Roundabout, were moved by around 6.30am.

In parts of Northumberland, the weather was so severe that the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team were put on standby to assist the police and ambulance service.

A number of our readers reported being forced to push cars which had become stuck in the snow.

Some County Durham roads are set to remain closed overnight: The B6278 Stanhope to Eggleston; C20 Meadow Edge, Stanhope to Bay Bridge, Blanchland;

The unclassified 16.2, Rookhope to Blanchland;

C28 Westgate in Weardale to Newbiggin in Teesdale

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “The weather has improved as the day has gone on with less in the way of snowfall but our teams have continued to work to ensure roads and paths are as clear as possible.

“Our gritting teams have worked throughout the day to ensure the main roads in the county are clear.

“In Weardale, winds have presented real challenges for our staff with snow blowing across roads making them impassable.

“However the teams have been out with snow ploughs and blowers to ensure as little disruption as possible for residents.

“We are out gritting this evening and our staff will be on standby from 4am tomorrow but we would just remind motorists to take extra care when making journeys.”

Further wintry showers can be expected in the North East on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “It will be another day of sunny spells, brisk winds, and occasional wintry showers.

These will remain most frequent across the Cheviots and Pennines, where further snow accumulations are likely. Maximum temperature 3 °C.”