Sleeping rough

Rough Sleeping in Chichester District

Whilst the overall number of rough sleepers has not risen over the last several years, their visibility has increased; especially in Chichester city centre.

The reasons why people become homeless can be extremely complex, and quite often they require much more support than just a roof over their heads. In many cases, people are offered accommodation, only to turn it down or sustain accommodation for short periods only to return to rough sleeping.

Helping Rough Sleepers

The council works within a multi-agency panel which includes a number of agencies including; Stonepillow, Sussex Police, West Sussex County Council Adult Services and Change, Grow, Live (CGL) to identify and support those rough sleeping in the district.

The multi-agency panel meet monthly to share knowledge about the levels of rough sleeping across the district and collect relevant information to engage the council's Rough Sleeping Outreach Team to verify rough sleeping activity and begin to engage with individuals.

The council's Rough Sleeping Outreach Team builds a relationship with rough sleepers in an effort to understand the individual's needs, cause for homelessness, and how together they can consider the available options to change their current lifestyle and secure suitable accommodation. We use a person-centred approach to support the individual, meeting their appropriate health, wellbeing and housing needs.

Ending rough sleeping is more that securing accommodation for the homeless. The effect of homelessness can have a significant impact affecting the desire or motivation to change.

Chichester District Council's Commitment to Ending Rough Sleeping

Prevention

Tackling rough sleeping is one of Chichester District Council's key priorities. We recognise that if we are to minimise the considerable harm caused by rough sleeping, the most important thing we can do is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Intervention

Prevention is vital, but if we are to ensure that rough sleeping non-reoccurring, we must act and intervene now to support the people who are experiencing it today. The council's multi-agency rough sleeper panel initiates intervention and provides the intelligence required by the council's Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker who operates our intervention service.

Recovery

We need to ensure that people have support in place to move into sustainable accommodation. A stable home is an essential element in a person's recovery from rough sleeping and needs to go hand in hand with ﬂexible support that is tailored to individual needs.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

Every winter, Chichester District Council provides severe weather provision for homeless people.

SWEP is triggered when there is a forecast of a drop a 'feels like' temperature of zero degrees or below, for three consecutive nights. The protocol should be implemented (i.e. accommodation made available) on the first night of the forecast.

Chichester District Council works with homeless charities and other partners to make sure that all rough sleepers will know about this provision.

The service is also available on the council's Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Concerned about someone sleeping rough?

If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping rough, then get in touch with StreetLink, which helps to connect homeless people with their local services. You can send Street Link (opens new window) an alert via its website or by calling 0300 500 0914. Full details on how to use Streetlink can be found on their website.

The StreetLink notifications are sent to Chichester District Council's Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker, who can offer intensive assistance to help rough sleepers to access support and accommodation and make positive changes in their lives.

How you can help people sleeping rough (Diverted Giving Campaign)

What is Diverted Giving?

Diverted Giving is the act of donating money, food, toiletries and clothing to homeless charities, rather than giving directly to rough sleepers. In 2019 the Council plan to deliver bi-annual Diverted Giving Campaign events in partnership with homeless charities to advertise the work we deliver and how to best donate your time, belongings and/or food.

Why can't I give directly to rough sleepers?

Many people believe they are doing a good thing by giving rough sleepers money, but begging is illegal and doesn't offer a permanent solution to homelessness. Because of the money they make, rough sleepers will often turn down offers of help from support services, instead choosing to remain on the streets.

Additionally, some beggars are not homeless and beg because it is financially rewarding. Although it is entirely your decision if you wish to give to beggars; if you want to help people to engage with the services that can offer accommodation and other services then donating to your chosen charity will not only support the work they do but has the ability to help more than one individual.

How can I help rough sleepers?

Donations to local charities of food, toiletries, household items, clothing, etc. help support vital services, such as Stonepillow and lunch clubs, to carry out work in the community.

A list of most needed items can be found on Stonepillow.org.uk (opens new window) website.

Rough Sleepers Estimate

Since autumn 2010, all local authorities have been required to submit an annual figure to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to indicate the number of people sleeping rough in their area on a typical night. They can arrive at this figure by means of an evidence-based estimate, a count of visible rough sleeping, or an estimate including a spotlight count. This annual rough sleeping figure allows local authorities to track progress, consider whether current measures are effective in tackling rough sleeping and if new approaches are needed. MHCLG produces a statistical release based on the data each year.

For more information please visit the Homeless.org.uk - the extent of rough sleeping (opens new window)

Support Services for Rough Sleepers

Stonepillow - Chichester Hub

The Old Glassworks
St Cyriacs,
Chichester
PO19 1AJ

The Hub is Stonepillow's drop-in day centre, providing clients with access to a range of facilities and sign-posting to other services.

The hub is open Monday - Friday 09:00 - 13:00, 13:00 to 16:30 by appointment only. Saturday and Sunday 12:00 for lunch.

Provides clients with breakfast, lunch, and hot drinks throughout the day. There are shower and laundry facilities available for use and Project Workers are available to offer structured, individual support plans.

Stonepillow.org.uk/contact (opens new window)

Chichester Hostel

Persons wanting to access supported hostel accommodation should visit Chichester Hub at St Cyriac's, Chichester PO19 1AJ to complete an application. The hostel does not have direct access and so potential clients should not come directly to Chichester Hostel.

The Hostel provides accommodation to homeless people. It is open 24-hours a day throughout the year.

There are 17 individual bedrooms with communal bathrooms at the hostel with a separate dining area. Hot and cold meals are provided throughout the day, and there are shower facilities, a second-hand clothing store and laundry facilities.

For more information please visit Stonepillow.org.uk (opens new window).

Heart For Homeless

Daily (365 days a year).

08:30-10:00

Heartchichester.church (opens new window)

Heart serves a hot, take away breakfast and packed lunch every day of the week. All Breakfasts are served at St Pancras Hall, 101 St Pancras, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7LH

The Four Streets Project

St Pauls Church

Daily (365 days a year).

18:30-19:00

Fourstreetschichester.org.uk (opens new window)

Four Streets run a takeaway supper club every night of the year. They also provide vital survival equipment (clothing, sleeping bags, ground mats, toiletries etc/ All served from the back garden area of St Paul's Church, Chichester, PO19 6FT.

Chichester District Foodbank

Provides emergency food and support to local people in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of food banks supported by Trussell working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Please note: You must contact the council first to obtain vouchers for the foodbank. Our contact number is 01243 785166.

Office, food deliveries and collections

Unit 10, Chichester Trade Centre
Quarry Lane
Chichester
PO19 8ET

Chichester District Foodbank (opens new window)

Food bank locations

Chichester

Unit 10, Chichester Trade Centre
Quarry Lane
Chichester
PO19 8ET

Opening times:

Every Monday 2pm - 4pm.
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:30am.
Every Friday 4pm - 6pm.

Petworth - Delivery Only

If you live in Petworth or nearby villages, please call to arrange delivery (Monday to Friday). Allow 2-3 working days for your parcel. Donations can be dropped off at Petworth Co-op, The Old Bakery, Fittleworth Stores, Southdown Chiropractic, St. Giles Church, Graffham, or any local churches.

Opening times: Monday to Thursday 09:30 to 16:00, Friday 09:30 to 12:00.

Selsey

Selsey Methodist Church
High Street
Selsey
PO20 0QJ

Open every Friday 10:00 to 12:00.

Contact us

For further information and advice email housingadvice@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone us on 01243 534734.

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