‘They’re so, so vulnerable, but you’ve got to respect their decisions’

As temperatures plunge, getting the homeless into the warmth and off the streets is a priority. But it’s more complex than it seems, as reporter Jack Dyson finds out during an overnight rough sleeper count in the city centre...

It’s late. Darkness envelopes the city’s streets and the sharp chill of the wintry air is becoming increasingly acute. Shivering, I’m stood in the centre of Watling Street car park at 11pm with an assortment of people from Canterbury City Council and Porchlight. We’re set to embark on a rough sleeper count.

For the next three hours, the group of outreach workers will walk through the city to monitor the homeless, tell them how they can be helped off the streets and offer them accommodation for the night. Despite the fact the council’s severe weather protocol (Swep) – which provides added beds for rough sleepers when temperatures are expected to fall below freezing – has been in place for more than a week, just six people are taking advantage of the extra spaces tonight.

Before we start our rounds, Daniel Gould, the local authority’s street population co-ordinator, briefs the group on what needs to be done.

“We’re going to be looking to speak to one man in particular,” he adds. “He’s usually around Tesco.”

Before I’m able to find out any more, the group peels off into twos; with each pair covering a different part of the city centre. I find myself following Lora Mccourt, from the council, and Porchlight’s James Moorhouse along Watling Street. “So who is he?” I ask Lora. “There are individuals who we have particular concerns for – and this man is one of them,” she responds. “He has some health issues and the team has identified him as a person of concern who we’re really keen to work with and get off the street.”

As we round the corner into Castle Street, we see a thin sleeping bag surrounded by detritus in the centre of a doorway. With each step, the outline of a gaunt man no older than 30 with grey, tired skin becomes clearer. A discoloured dressing is strewn on the floor nearby, while the packaging for a new one lies behind him and the smell of fetid skin permeates through the air. It’s the man we’re looking for.

“How’s your leg – is it painful?” Lora asks. “Yeah,” he says, feebly. “That’s not off your leg, that dressing, is it?”

“Yeah, I changed it just this minute.”

After calling one of their col- leagues, who has been dealing with the man for some time, to tell her where he is, we head on. As we continue along Castle Street, Lora tells me the group is hoping to be able to take him to hospital the next morning for treatment on his ulcerated leg and to collect his prescribed methadone.

“He’s a complex fellow,” she adds. “He’s been accessing our services for a long time. If he wanted to be off the streets, we could do it tomorrow – but he’d have to be ready.

“Sometimes this job is heartbreaking because you’re walking away from someone who you just want to take home. They’re so, so vulnerable and you just want to make it better for them, but you’ve got to respect their decisions. This is because it’s all about building trust and we can’t do that if we’re too pushy.”

It’s a method that’s proved successful. Since September, 45 rough sleepers have been moved into permanent accommodation through the combined work of Porchlight, the council and Catching Lives.

We continue to scour doorways, shop fronts, tuckedaway alleyways and pitchblack car parks for any other rough sleepers.

Outside The Cuban n nightclub, the bass from th he music inside can be heard th hudding away, while the d drunken chatter of those wa aiting to get inside buzzes thro ough the High Street. Metres aw way from this hive of activity, a manm lies fast asleep next to Deb benhams with his back to the club.c His name is Stephen Win nter, and he turns down the ch hance to have a bed for the nigh ht. I ask him why.

“I can’t stand the sn oring of it, mate,” explain ns the 53-year-old. “It’s too muchm because it’s one big pl lace with everyone in there e.” “But you’re outside Cuban!” “That’ll be quiet soon and I’ll be able to get some sleep anyway.”

Originally from Gillingham, Stephen says he became homeless more than five years ago when his landlord decided to convert his home into student flats. He was working as a dustman at the time.

“I want to get off the streets, but it’s very hard adjusting to a place again,” he continues. “This time of year it’s very, very cold. A lot of people find it difficult, but I’m used to it now.”

It’s almost 1am, three hours after we set off. In all, we’ve counted 16 rough sleepers, but the outreach workers are aware of seven others. Three more are in emergency accommodation. Over the course of the night they have not managed to convince anyone to sleep indoors, proving yet again just how complex the issue of homelessness is.

n The council urges anyone concerned about a rough sleeper to call Catching Lives during the day on 01227 464904 or the authority’s control room out of hours on 01227 781879. Alternatively, download the Streetlink app.