Statement: Budget - Rough Sleepers/Homelessness

Dr Helen Cameron, spokesperson for The Salvation Army, said:

‘We welcome today’s announcement by the Chancellor. People are telling us it is difficult to find suitable move-on accommodation after they leave a hostel. When people end up back on the streets it is because the follow-on accommodation has been of poor quality or difficult to find. This can hamper the progress people have made while in our hostels.

‘While the additional 2000 places are very much needed and welcome it is important to recognise that it takes more than a roof over your head to solve this problem. People who have experienced rough sleeping need adequate support to build their lives.

‘We hope that the Government’s review into homelessness accommodation currently under way can secure the funding needed to enable people to change their lives for the better.’

Background

The Salvation Army is the biggest provider of social care outside the government We help more than 6000 people a year experiencing homelessness We have 89 emergency accommodation buildings and projects.

We also have drop-ins, emergency shelters, meal runs and other services across our 700 churches in the UK and Republic of Ireland.  

[Photo Credit Ideal Group : One of The Salvation Army’s clean Emergency Response Catering Units and the Ideal Response team]

After feeding over 2,000 volunteers and personnel involved in Europe’s largest ever disaster training exercise, our Emergency Response Catering Units were in need of a thorough clean. 

The four day exercise began on the 29th February in Kent and through the exercise, emergency service crews practiced their ‘urban search and rescue’ skills and coordination skills in a realistic environment. The exercise involved a simulated building collapse onto Waterloo tube station, recreated near the Dartford River Crossing.

The Salvation Army provided 75 volunteers throughout the exercise to offer pastoral support and care to emergency services personnel involved. Two of The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Catering Units were present around the clock providing sustenance and a chance for some well-earned rest for the responders through cups of tea and coffee, snacks and bacon butties.

Following the exercise, Ideal Response, a specialist recovery and hygiene company based in Kent, showed their support of The Salvation Army by offering to undertake a full clean of the vehicles involved for free.

Pat Nolan, Commercial Manager at Ideal Response said: “We’re extremely proud to support the Salvation Army and the incredible work that the volunteers undertake, day in day out. It was our pleasure to get the Emergency Units back, ready for the next emergency.”

Following the exercise, Maureen Hepburn, our Territorial Emergency Services Officer said: “It was so heart-warming to see how well our volunteers cared for people and truly show how their 'Heart to God' was translated into 'Hand to Man'.

“Emergency response is more than assisting during an incident - it is a real and powerful ministry to emergency responders and those affected by the incident.”

The Salvation Army has 18 emergency response vehicles around the United Kingdom and Ireland.