Winter plan to help homeless
Breakfast run and floor space scheme:
PLANS to support rough sleepers in Bridgend this winter involve a breakfast run, an afternoon drop-in service and a floor space scheme, the local authority has said.
Bridgend County Borough Council is working with local organisations such as the Wallich, the Zone and Gwalia to provide a range of help and support.
In the mornings, a breakfast run will offer hot food and drink between 6.30am and 9am as well as sleeping bags, warm clothing, toiletries and other important items.
Between 9.30am and noon, a drop-in centre at The Wallich in Park Street will provide washing facilities and telephone and computer access.
An afternoon dropin service will become available at The Zone in Dunraven Place between 1.30pm to 4.30pm during the week, and between 9am and 12 noon on Saturdays.
Then at night, the floor space scheme will provide a “safe, dry and warm place to sleep”.
This is available between 8pm and 8am at The Elms in Bridgend Industrial Estate, with extended hours on Bank Holidays or if the weather becomes severe.
The floor space is allocated on a daily basis, and people can apply between 3pm and 5pm through the Gwalia Local Support Hub which is based at the Brackla Street Centre.
Councillor Dhanisha Patel, cabinet member for Wellbeing and Future Generations Support, said: “People become homeless for all sorts of reasons, and there are a number of local organisations in place to provide help, advice and support.
“The council’s housing solutions team ensures that housing applications can be made all year round and at any time of the night or day.
“If anyone is concerned about a rough sleeper, they can alert the local authority by using the Street Link app available at streetlink.org.uk
“It’s a quick and easy way of ensuring that someone can get access to the help they need.”
To contact the housing solutions team call 01656 643643 or email talktous@bridgend. gov.uk