Council ready to reach out to rough sleepers as wintry weather blows in from the Arctic

                                              

No place to spend a cold night in winter - Cleethorpes foreshore nature reserve

WITH cold northerly winds sweeping in from the Arctic, North East Lincolnshire Council has been quick to activate its annual Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.

This is designed to ensure that people who have been sleeping rough are safe and protected during severe weather, particularly extreme cold.

When freezing temperatures are forecast for three nights running or in other severe weather, people known to the council as rough sleepers will automatically be offered a place to sleep for the night.

NELC works with partners to make sure that accommodation is made available to meet demand.

Says its Rough Sleeper Coordinator Liz Motley said: "Some people may not want or be able to engage with services offered to them, but we will always offer them warm clothing and blankets.

"We will be working with Harbour Place to continue with outreach support, visiting those sleeping outdoors to check their welfare and ask if they require accommodation."

Anyone can put out an alert on Streetlink.org that will let Ms Motley know where someone has been seen someone sleeping rough.

It is not necessary to have had any contact with the person

More information is available at I am homeless | NELC