SUPPORT is available for rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness in Herefordshire this Christmas, Herefordshire Council have said.

With social isolation, loneliness, and bitter weather posing serious risks to health and wellbeing, the council is encouraging people affected by homelessness to be aware and make use of the support that is available.

St Peter’s Winter Shelter offers overnight accommodation for homeless people in Hereford from late November until mid-March. There is no referral necessary and visitors can just present at the shelter for accommodation that night.

The shelter can accommodate up to three females and sixteen males, and two ‘wardens’ are on duty all night to provide support.

Shelter opening times are from 9pm until 7.45am. The shelter provides toilet, washing, shower and laundry facilities, and hot drinks and soup are available.

The main aim of the shelter is to prevent people sleeping rough during the worst of the winter, but they also work to improve clients’ situations in the longer term.

The shelter works with the Council’s Housing Solutions team and others to assess the needs of each person, attempting to resolve the problems that have led to their homelessness and to move them on into their own accommodation.

Faith-based organisations provide hot food to rough sleepers and other vulnerable groups each day in Hereford city, including Christmas day and New Year’s day.

Herefordshire Council’s Rough Sleeper Outreach service also operates from 7.30am to 5pm each day.

Anyone can call into Blueschool House from 9am to 5pm, or they can call the out of hours service on 01432 261600 to speak to a housing solutions officer.

Hereford Times: