Council ramps up rough sleeper support in the heat - and you can help

Great Yarmouth Borough Council's outreach team is asking residents worried about rough sleepers in the borough to use the StreetLink app to trigger extra help from the council.

The Council signed up to the national StreetLink service last year, and the app allows people to report concerns using their app or the StreetLink website, with those sleeping rough also able to use the app to ask for help directly.

Reports trigger notifications to the council's dedicated rough sleeper team, which works with homeless people to offer support and access to help from the council, charities, and voluntary organisations.

Gavin Whittaker is one of the Pathway Outreach Workers at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and works closely with those sleeping rough to help them access the support they need.

Gavin said: "My role is to aid those vulnerable and on the streets, whether that's helping them to find accommodation, helping them get assessed by a doctor or support them in making housing applications."

During the high temperatures the borough experienced in July, the council implemented the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, which meant offering temporary accommodation to those sleeping rough.

The Outreach Team also set up base in a local church, supplying water, sun cream and food. There was also a paramedic on site offering advice and basic health checks.

As the forecast for the borough is set to see temperatures rise once more, the council will again offer additional direct help to those in need.

People can make a report via the free StreetLink app on the Apple or Google Play stores, by going to the StreetLink website at streetlink.org.uk or by phoning 0300 500 0914. People can also email roughsleeping@great-yarmouth.gov.uk to contact the council's rough sleeping team directly.