AFC Totton
The Community Team at AFC Totton is working with Reach The Streets (Southampton) for this initiative to help the homeless in our local area. Reach The Streets try and support anyone who is flagged up to them in and around our local areas.
Carrie Langdale from Reach the Streets says the main aim when they started was to help the Rough sleepers but as time has gone on, they have ended up supporting the 'safe' sleepers as well as those who have been encouraged into hostels/HMO's and such like.
She says what is great is they have guys who go out with their teams who were previously homeless so they have the best understanding of the guys' situations.
In a nutshell, they go out every fortnight providing support for those they meet who are rough sleeping, predominantly in Southampton but if they are informed of people in local areas they also reach out to them.
The team go out armed with clothes, personal care items, shoes, towels, blankets/duvets and always, socks!! They set up in one area which enables us to take more of everything the guys/ladies might need.
And they don't just limit their support to the rough sleepers, eventually, those guys will be placed into Hostels by the Street Homeless Prevention Team (based at the day centre) but sadly, their money does not go far and, more so, if there is addiction involved the money will be spent on other things over food etc.
The team always take out hot food, lunch items, in the hope that it will provide a meal for Sunday.
The Reach the Streets Team have information on all the other groups/organisations who are out helping the guys too so, if someone new hits the streets, they can let them know where they can for support and also food!!
Carrier says "for me, listening is key and gaining trust so I can identify where someone is bedding down and what support they need.
We recently lost a street guy who was known to many as their 'street dad' as he always put others first. He was such a character and although very troubled, was such a likeable man. I am 100% doing the sleepout for him!!!"
The Reach The Streets team and Julie Motherwell and Dave Penny from the Community Team at the football club have arranged the BIG Sleep out for April 1st at the Snows Stadium to help raise money for this amazing cause.
Please get involved and support. More information is available from:
[email protected] & [email protected]
