WMCA launches rough sleeping campaign with local councils

As sub-zero temperatures continue to grip the region, a campaign was launched to help provide much needed support and protection for those sleeping rough on the streets of the West Midlands.

Marking its fifth year, Change into Action 's winter campaign is asking for the public to contact StreetLink if they know or see anyone sleeping rough across the region so that they can be connected to local support services who can work towards putting an end to their homelessness.

This year 's campaign, which has been launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in partnership with the region 's local councils, will also give festive shoppers and visitors to the popular Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham city centre the chance to make donations with a simple swipe of a bank card or smart phone.

Two new contactless points have been set up by the Colmore Business Improvement District (BID) at Wayland 's Yard Coffee Shop on Bull Street and at Snowhill Station.

Thanks to the generosity of residents and local business, over £270,000 has been raised over the last five years through Change into Action and Alternative Giving CIO in Wolverhampton, helping more than 700 rough sleepers across the region to change their lives for the better.

To raise awareness about this year 's campaign, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, visited the Frankfurt Christmas Market with Cllr Sharon Thompson, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members Advisory Group and cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, Birmingham City Council, to hand out leaflets to stallholders, other local businesses and shoppers.

Andy Street said: “At this time of year, our thoughts and prayers often turn to the circumstances of the less fortunate. We know that conditions during the winter period present the greatest risks to the health of people who sleep rough and that is why we are working in close collaboration with our local authority and wider partners, to ensure that every effort is made to connect individuals with appropriate services to meet their needs and support them to move away from sleeping on the streets for good. ”

Councillor Thompson, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members Advisory Group and cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, Birmingham City Council, said: “Over the years thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham public Change into Action has helped to change the lives of hundreds of people in the city sleeping rough.

“These new contactless pay points will make giving even easier and quicker to do. We know that the cost of living crisis means that money is very tight this year and that people are really struggling. However, if you are able to donate anything, however small, it would mean a great deal of difference to changing the lives of people sleeping rough. Every penny you give goes to helping those people most in need ”

Change into Action is led by the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce and was set up by The Mayor in partnership with Birmingham City Council in December 2017.

If you feel you can donate this winter, please visit https://changeintoaction.org.uk/ to find out how to support people in your local area.

If you are concerned that someone may be sleeping rough then please report it through www.streetlink.org.uk/.

The notification will go directly to a street outreach team who will follow up with an offer of help. If you think the person is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.

Pictured: Cllr Thompson and The Mayor (middle) promote Change Into Action's winter campaign