Rough Sleepers

WHO CAN I INFORM THAT I AM SLEEPING ROUGH OR SEEN A PERSON SLEEPING ROUGH?

Specialist Rough Sleeping Intervention Team for East Lindsey

  Tel:  01507 613135 Office hours 09:00 to 17:00 Monday - Friday.  A Freephone number is available for those with no credit: 08004640445  

ELDC Homelessness Team

Email - RSI@e-lindsey.gov.uk   Tel - 01507 601111 (The call will transfer to the On-Call service out of office hours)

Streetlink - enables members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.

WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE SLEEPING ROUGH?

Rough Sleeping Intervention Team - consisting of ELDC Rough Sleeping Service and ELDC Housing and Homelessness Team to provide advice and assistance to people sleeping rough within East Lindsey and to provide ongoing support once accommodation is sourced.  Tel: 01507  601111  Email: RSI@e-lindsey.gov.uk

The Royal British Legion - supports serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. Tel: 0808 802 8080

SSAFA - provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army or the Royal Air Force.  Support and advice is provided to veterans who are rough sleeping. Tel: 0800 7314880

WHAT HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE? 

The main hostel in East Lindsey is based in Skegness. There is high demand for this hostel and applicants will need a local connection. Referrals must be made by East Lindsey District Council and further information can be obtained by contacting the Housing Hub Tel: 01507613135

There is a small male only hostel in Mablethorpe run by the Christian Fellowship which provides supported accommodation. More information can be obtained by phoning 01507 478995

The only direct access hostel in Lincolnshire is the NOMAD Night Shelter, St Rumbold Street, Lincoln. The hostel is open from 9.00pm until 6.00am each day. For further details contact the shelter directly

Tel: 01522 504589/01522 504588   Email: office@nomadtrust.org.uk

It is very difficult to obtain hostel accommodation if a rough sleeper has previously been evicted due to breaking the rules especially if it is because of anti social behaviour, rent arrears, drug or alcohol misuse or certain previous convictions.

Where possible, it is important to ask for assistance with obtaining accommodation during office hours, as it can be difficult to find accommodation outside of office hours and late at night. 

SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

During periods of severe weather such as winter conditions the government recommend that where the temperature is zero or below for 3 consecutive nights, all rough sleepers should be offered shelter.  Please contact us to make us aware of any rough sleepers who need assistance. Any accommodation provided will usually be short term and basic.  Those who do not have a connection to East Lindsey will be assisted to return to their own locality.  If they have no where to go in the daytime please contact 01507 613135 for advice.

WHERE CAN FOOD AND DRINK BE OBTAINED FROM?

Trinity Centre, Eastgate, Louth - Louth's Food larder provides food for those who have none.  Referrals can be made by statutory and voluntary agencies.  This project was initiated by the Parish but engages Churches Together in Louth & District and the whole community.  Tel: 01507 605803

The Storehouse, North Parade, Skegness - Skegness's only Food Bank is based at The Storehouse Church on North Parade, providing 3 days emergency food for local people in financial hardship.
The Skegness Food Bank is supported entirely by volunteers and donations from local churches, businesses and individuals. Tel: 01754 763362

Horncastle -An independent Food Bank, run by a small group of local volunteers, based in Horncastle Community Centre and serving the local community and surrounding villages. Appointment only, referrals by agencies working with the person rough sleeping

Hope House, Victoria Road, Mablethorpe -  Open house run by the Christian fellowship offering snacks and low cost meals.  Monday-Friday 10.00am-12.00pm.  Showering facilities available.

Furnichurch, Victoria Road, Mablethorpe -  Charity run food larder open Monday-Friday 12 noon-2.00pm

The Storehouse, Alford -  Food Bank open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10.30am - 12.30pm

WHAT IF THE PERSON SLEEPING ROUGH HAS A DOG?

Some hostels will accommodate someone sleeping rough who has a dog but this is very limited and could depend on the breed and behaviour of  the dog. Alternatively the pet might need to be placed temporarily in kennels. The council can offer advice with this.

DO PEOPLE SLEEPING ROUGH REFUSE HELP?

Some rough sleepers will refuse an offer of assistance including accommodation. This could be due to a range of reasons but the Rough Sleeping Intervention Team will endeavour to engage with those still on the streets and continue to offer support.

IS EVERYONE WHO SLEEPS ROUGH OR SEEN BEGGING ACTUALLY HOMELESS?

No, the council does occasionally come across people who are choosing to sleep rough or beg even though they have accommodation available to them. Those from out of area will be encouraged to return to their home and offered assistance with transport to get them back. Some still refuse this offer of reconnection however we will continue to try to engage with them.  

HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE COUNCIL TO END ROUGH SLEEPING?

Any individual or organisation can support the Council by signing up to our Rough Sleeping Charter and committing to help with one or more of the actions.