TWO additional pop-up shelters will open to provide vital support to anyone found sleeping on the streets across the Basingstoke and Deane borough.

This follows the success of a pop-up shelter during the Christmas period.

Run by a network of churches across Basingstoke and an army of volunteers, the pop-up Night Light Winter Shelter provided support to 28 guests in need of a warm space, hot meals and company on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

It also included overnight stays for five guests who were given help and advice to find long-term accommodation.

Making sure that nobody is left out in the cold this winter, the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership is continuing to work together to provide vital support.

The new shelters will be open on Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11.

READ MORE: A pop-up shelter is running in Basingstoke this Christmas

Referrals to the night shelter will be made by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Julian House.

The Real Change not Loose Change campaign has also been raising funds to provide much-needed help for anyone who may find themselves rough sleeping.

Funding raised previously paid for a new shower at The Camrose Centre, lockers for anyone rough sleeping to keep their belongings safe and new carpets, furniture and white goods for people moving into accommodation after sleeping rough.

The campaign has been run by the Social Inclusion Partnership which brings together a range of specialist, voluntary, statutory, faith and community groups all working to reduce homelessness in the borough, along with those who have experienced homelessness.

Vital support will be available for anyone sleeping rough in the borough this winter, including emergency accommodation and access to other support services they may need, as part of the service provided by charity Julian House’s outreach team.

The outreach team, which provides support all year round, responds to information it receives from other partners in the Social Inclusion Partnership and reports of rough sleepers from members of the public.

Night Light Winter Shelter Project co-ordinator Chris Clarke-Williams said: “The colder months can be an incredibly difficult time for those who are homeless and our pop-up Night Light Winter Shelter gives those who need it a safe and welcoming haven.

“Our guests really value a place to come together and somewhere that they are listened to and supported to access the long-term help they need to get back on their feet. We wouldn’t be able to do this without our amazing volunteers who continue to give their time."

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Cabinet member for residents’ services and housing Cllr Laura James said: “Nobody in our borough should have to sleep rough, especially during the cold winter months. The number of people who may be rough sleeping can change all the time as there are so many factors that may lead to someone becoming homeless. That is why it is so important to report anyone rough sleeping via StreetLink so we make sure they are given the support they need.

“As a partnership we are working hard to support those who have been and are threatened with homelessness. It is vital that we continue to work together to identify anyone rough sleeping and ensure that vital support is there to help them away from the streets.

“This support wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our partners and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to ensure help is available. I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to our Real Change not Loose Change campaign. And there is still time to help – please help us to provide even more help by donating anything you can.”

To report anyone rough sleeping in the borough, visit thestreetlink.org.uk/ or contact Julian House by calling 01256 322791 or email basingstoke-outreach@julianhouse.org.uk.

Find out more about the support available locally at realchangebasingstoke.org.uk/