WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols visited a town centre homelessness charity to see first-hand the support being provided to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
The MP visited Room at the Inn on Winmarleigh Street to meet staff and volunteers and discuss the charity’s work against the backdrop of a new Government pledge to give people sleeping rough a route off the streets.
Room at the Inn provides a drop-in daytime service for homeless and vulnerable people, operating Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm.
The charity also runs a supported accommodation hostel on Museum Street for people referred through Warrington Borough Council, alongside a night hub service for people sleeping rough.
Ms Nichols was shown how the charity’s dedicated team works with people facing extremely difficult circumstances, helping them access support and move towards a more secure future.
The visit comes after the Prime Minister announced a £442 million package aimed at helping people sleeping rough, with areas facing the greatest need due to receive the largest share of funding.
The Government says the additional support is intended to help people get out of the cold, secure settled accommodation and receive the support required to prevent them returning to homelessness.
The national initiative is also intended to bring together charities, faith groups, community organisations and public services in an effort to tackle rough sleeping at a local level.
Ms Nichols said charities and community organisations were central to efforts to tackle rough sleeping.
“Charities, faith groups and community organisations are at the heart of efforts to end rough sleeping.
“This is why I thought it was integral to speak to the incredible staff and volunteers at Room at the Inn to reiterate the support they already provide for the homeless in Warrington and where this can link to the Prime Minister’s pledge to get a roof over everyone’s head for Christmas.”
She said the charity’s work reflected the Government’s recognition that some people would need significant support to move forward because of the challenges they face.
“Further support is vital to get people the stability and security they need to progress,” she added.
Alison Duckworth, Chair of Room at the Inn, said tackling homelessness required more than simply providing accommodation.
“Ending rough sleeping requires more than providing a roof over someone’s head. It means understanding the circumstances that have led someone to the streets and providing the right support to help them move forward.”
She said staff and volunteers saw every day the difference that compassionate, practical and consistent support could make.
“As an independent homelessness charity, we are committed to working alongside our partners and playing a leading role in turning the national ambition to end rough sleeping into lasting change locally,” she added.
“With the right support and collaboration, we can help more people not simply come off the streets, but move towards safety, stability and a more secure future.”
Research from homelessness charity Crisis has suggested that preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers around £370 million, highlighting the wider financial as well as social consequences of homelessness.
Room at the Inn relies on donations to support its work with homeless and vulnerable people across Warrington.
People wishing to support the charity can donate through its official website.
