DONATIONS are needed to help Barnsley’s homeless and rough sleepers.
After a count of those sleeping on the streets early this week, a special market stall is up and running to receive gifts of practical help.
Members from the Barnsley Homeless Alliance took to the streets of Barnsley on Tuesday to carry out the government’s annual rough sleeper count.
The previous night, they had done an intelligence-based count of those on the streets.
Since autumn 2010, all local authorities must submit an annual figure indicating the numbers of people sleeping rough in their area. This is achieved by conducting a count or submitting an evidence-based estimate of those rough sleeping on a typical night.
This year, Barnsley Council said it had been done through an ‘informed estimate’, supplemented by intelligence from any agencies aware of someone rough sleeping from Monday night to Tuesday morning this week.
In a bid to tackle homeless and rough sleeping, the Homeless Alliance set up a stall in Barnsley Market calling on people to donate items such as tinned food, packet soup or noodles, tea, coffee, sugar, toiletries and warm clothing.
The stall opened on Wednesday and is in place until tomorrow on the ground floor of the market hall.
Barnsley Homeless Alliance comprises organisations and charities that support homeless people. It works with Barnsley Council to provide food, clothing, housing, medical care and substance misuse services to help give a future to those on the street through practical and compassionate support and advice.
Coun Jenny Platts said: “We’ve brought together key agencies that will have the most accurate information about who is sleeping rough on a typical night. Their knowledge, expertise and intelligence will ensure a wider range of reliable information is assessed to arrive at the estimate.
“Over the winter, temperatures will drop significantly, and we want to make a real difference to those people living on the streets of Barnsley and make this time of year a little more comfortable.
“Please help them by helping us and visit our stall in the market. By donating what you can, no matter how big or small, you can help support people to give them a brighter and healthier future off the streets.
“If anyone comes across anyone sleeping rough, please contact the housing options team at the Civic, Eldon Street, phone 773870 or email housingadvice@barnsley.gov.uk”
