Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)
SWEP operates outside usual eligibility and entitlement framework that governs access to housing. This means shelter is accessible to everyone in severe weather conditions and individuals are placed in either Bed & Breakfasts, hostels or a night shelter. When a person is placed under SWEP the Council uses this as an opportunity to try and engage with them to look at sustainable accommodation and provide support to access alternative accommodation.
The Council’s priority regarding street homeless individuals in severe weather is to reduce the risk of immediate harm and works with other agencies and rough sleepers to achieve this.
If you are concerned about someone who is street homeless please report your concerns via Street Link https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
The Big RED Chair Project
Are you street homeless, sofa-surfing or living in temporary housing in Gosport?
- Are you worried about your health and wellbeing?
- Do you have a heath issue that’s been worrying you and which needs checking out?
- Do you have a wound or injury that needs sorting?
The Big RED Chair Project is here to help you access friendly, free and non-judgemental healthcare. You don’t need to be registered with a GP in Gosport, but it doesn’t matter if you are registered here or elsewhere
Operating every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the Two Saints office, 51 Forton Road, Gosport, PO12 4TD, no need to book, just turn up and drop-in!
The Big RED Chair Project can also offer:
- Hot & cold drinks
- Light refreshments
- A hot shower and washing facilities
- Helpful advice and support
- Food parcels
- Links for veterans to other services who can help
- Kit bags for rough sleepers
- Phone charging
- A listening ear
Please see the flyer below for further details:
Gosport Borough Council Housing Advice
A drop in service is available at Gosport Town Hall from 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday. The Housing Advice Team are also contactable via email HousingAdviceTeam-mbx@gosport.gov.uk or telephone 02392 545476. If an individual needs to contact Housing Advice out of hours they can do so by calling 0800 028 0835. Each person will have differing circumstances and they will be given tailored advice and support specific to their case.
If an individual is in priority need they can be placed in emergency accommodation. If an individual is not in priority need there are various funds available to help relieve homelessness including the Rough Sleeper Grant which enables singles/couples who are homeless to secure a room to rent in the private sector.
Two Saints
Two Saints provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps.
Community support drop-in sessions offer free advice and support to individuals, couples and families in Gosport and Fareham areas:
Thursdays 13:00 – 16:00 – Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, PO16 7AZ
Saturday 11:00 – 14:30 – Telephone support and advice – call 02392 511062 or 01329 825136.
Inclusion
Inclusion Recovery provides support and treatment to anyone impacted by their own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use. The service is open for anyone aged 25 and over*. Self-referrals can be made as well as referrals from other agencies.
Client access at the Gosport hub located at 5-6 The Precinct, South Street.
*People aged 25 and under can self-refer to Catch 22 (who are working in partnership with Inclusion Recovery) by calling 0845 459 9405
Service to help street homeless at QA Hospital
Working collaboratively with QA Hospital, Two Saints and Portsmouth City Council acting as the lead local authority, have successfully secured £25k from the Government’s Cold Weather Fund to support rough sleepers who attend the Emergency Department or who are admitted as in-patients without a home to go to after their treatment is over.
The purpose of the service is to:
1. Prevent discharge to No Fixed Abode
2. Support people experiencing homelessness who self-discharge to the street with personalised housing and social care support plans
3. Increase confidence of hospital staff to work with issues around homelessness
4. Inform future service delivery and collaboration between local authority, health and housing partners