YMCA defends its actions in row over help for homeless
Some of the scenes met by Burton Hope volunteers VOLUNTEERS concerned about a homeless man claim they were ordered out of Burton’s winter night shelter while trying to find him a place.
John Anderson, of homeless organisation Burton Hope, said they were treated “disgracefully” by a Burton YMCA staff member, who he said slammed the doors in their faces as they began filming the encounter.
Burton YMCA has said the Burton Hope volunteers were “politely” asked to leave but did so “reluctantly” and the charity said it found their behaviour “unacceptable”.
The winter night shelter, at St Paul’s Church, King Edward Place, allows the homeless somewhere to stay during winter months – but it has rules.
Mr Anderson said: “A man was in town and found by our Burton Hope volunteers. He was having mental health issues, which is quite usual for homeless people. We took him to hospital to get him safe.
“In the meantime, we know the night shelter closes its doors for the evening at a certain time so we went down there to register our interest in getting him in.
“The second we got there, we were pushed out the door and one of the volunteers got stroppy and said only guests were allowed.
“We have a homeless person who needs help and yet they won’t take him. We were asked to leave. We hadn’t got our foot in the door and it was slammed in our faces. We tried to get something on video on what was happening.
“The attitude to this man was disgraceful. We did manage to get some help for him in the end. I thought this man could die tonight.”
Mr Anderson also said he came across three homeless people who had been banned from the night shelter for trying to drink alcohol on the premises.
A spokesman from Burton YMCA said: “Two members of the public turned up at the night shelter, entering the private space of those trying to sleep for the night. Our co-ordinator noticed they were recording on electronic devices and politely asked them to leave. They did so reluctantly.
“The YMCA takes the well-being and safeguarding of its guests, staff and volunteers seriously and finds this type of behaviour unacceptable.
“When guests come off the streets to sleep at the shelter they sign up to some basic but essential rules which include respecting the church facilities, volunteers, staff and fellow guests. They are also not permitted to drink alcohol or take drugs on the premises. Anyone found to be in breach of these rules are asked to leave and seek further help at our Reconnect Homeless Centre.”