People sleeping rough on the streets of Southport have been given sanctuary in local hotels in a bid to keep them safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Light for Life, a registered charity run by a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers, has worked with local hoteliers in the town in order to make it possible.
The organisation is the first point of call for anyone in housing need in Southport and across Sefton.
Greta Fenney, CEO at Light For Life, said: “We have been extremely busy with a whole range of things.
“We have kept business going as usual by ‘phone and email for people needing help and advice about tenancies, evictions and homelessness prevention.
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“Our outreach has been very hard at work to distribute soap and sanitizer whilst continuing to encourage the last of our rough sleepers indoors.
“We have done this with the help.of local hotels.
“Meanwhile our family and youth support has continued online and by ‘phone and a huge effort has resulted in the distribution of boxes of emergency essentials to Southport Hospital for elderly patients being discharged into isolation, and for people in temporary accommodation who are self isolating.
“We have also been working with our commissioners, Sefton Council, to explore options for isolating vulnerable people with additional complex needs such as addictions and mental health issues and working with police to ensure that those who have been accommodated fully appreciate the need to stay indoors.
“Our campaign is called Care Not Covid.”
The Light For Life ‘phone number is 01704 501256 for anyone experiencing a housing crisis and for general advice.
The Rough Sleeper contact is 07918746042 should you be homeless tonight.
