The Rough Sleeping Summit brings together partners to find solutions for Sheffield

A summit aimed at sharing resources, good practice and solutions to tackle rough sleeping has been held in Sheffield.

Bringing together partner organizations from across the country at The Workstation, the event saw key speakers impart their expertise and discussions across sectors. There was one key focus – how we can all move forward and improve outcomes for rough sleepers.

From politicians to community organisations, police representatives to support groups and charities to health services, there was plenty to discuss at the Rough Sleeping Summit last Friday (12^th July).

Keynote speakers included representatives from government departments, local community organizations working with rough sleepers and other local authorities, such as Greater Manchester, which have already seen success in these areas.

The summit aimed to create cross-sector relationships and coordination by bringing together key stakeholders and decision makers across the city. They were encouraged to share their experience and knowledge to make commitments to positive change. There was also the unveiling of the first cohort of peer support workers with lived experience to help shape policy.

Rough sleeping is a problem that continues to prove challenging across the country. Locally, Sheffield has a disproportionately high number of long-term rough sleepers, while also seeing a steady number of people returning to rough sleeping who were initially helped off the streets .

There have been successes such as the delivery of seven temporary accommodation units known as Cross Park Road for those with difficulty crossing and the commissioning of roles with lived experience to provide peer support to the most vulnerable more vulnerable crossed.

But the aim of the summit was to encourage and enable all partners to achieve even more by first recognizing the seriousness of the rough sleeping crisis.

Suzanne Allen, Head of Housing Services for the City of Sheffield, said at the event:

“We need this summit because of the current growing numbers.

“What do we need to improve the situation? And what should we ask others to do to help us? By working together we can get the best results for the people of Sheffield.

“The people who know best what to do are those who have experienced homelessness. I want them to be at the center of everything we do going forward.”

Cllr Douglas Johnson, chairman of the Housing Committee, also spoke at the summit. He said:

“It’s great to see so many people getting involved.

“We hear how all local authorities are dealing with the rise in homelessness, people presenting as homeless, rough sleepers and those in temporary accommodation. The human cost of homelessness is unacceptably high.

“It doesn’t just affect that person, it affects their friends, family and everyone around them. I hope the summit gives everyone a chance to reflect on the job at hand.”

Help for those experiencing homelessness or those concerned they may soon be at risk of homelessness is available on 0114 273 6306 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, support can be accessed by attending Howden House on Union Street in the city center between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Out of hours and when you have an urgent need, our out of hours team can be contacted on 0800 7311 689.

If you are concerned about the welfare of someone sleeping rough, call Street Link on 0300 500 0914.