A PROTEST took place in Hull city centre today in a bid to secure funding to reopen a night shelter for the homeless.
Volunteers from the Hull Homeless Outreach group gathered outside The Warren, opposite Queens Gardens at 11am with placards and a petition, asking Hull City Council to help with funding to reopen the night shelter at Dock House.
The shelter, run by Hull Homeless and Rootless Project, was forced to close in June due to a funding shortfall.
Sarah Hemingway, a volunteer with the Hull Homeless Outreach, said: "We have been working with the homeless for a few months and have built up a relationship with Dock House residents who relied on the night shelter for a bed for the night.
"It is upsetting when you see how something so important to them is no longer available.
"As winter approaches and there are more and more homeless people on the streets, there will be a greater need for emergency accommodation.
"As there are 18 beds already available in Dock House, we are calling on the council to help make funds available to finance this project and to make sure some of the homeless have a warm safe place over the winter period."
The Hull Homeless Outreach service is run by volunteers and relies solely on donations from members of the public.
The outreach service currently runs a soup kitchen from Dock House every Wednesday from 7pm.
Miss Hemingway said: "A bed and a roof is something we all take for granted and is a basic need for everyone.
"We believe the council should help with looking after the most vulnerable and the needy as the rise in homelessness is on the up at a very fast rate around the country."
Lorraine Goude, assistant city manager for integrated commissioning, said: "Hull City Council continues to work with local housing-related support providers to ensure the wellbeing of people at potential risk of homelessness is protected.
"This summer, the council commissioned Humbercare to provide a new service for people at risk of rough sleeping.
"Futures, the new centre for assessment and emergency accommodation, will provide a comprehensive service to people using it by working with a wide range of partners.
"The new service will provide 20 places throughout the year.
"An integral part of the service is the ability to increase this to provide an additional 20 beds over the winter period, to provide the accommodation element of Hull's severe weather implementation scheme for rough sleepers, which aims to ensure no one needs to sleep rough over the winter period."
Recruiting volunteersAngela Dearing, Hull City Council's assistant city manager for housing and wellbeing, and Richard McKinnon, director of Humbercare, say they welcome input from community and voluntary groups in providing complementary services for the winter service, including provision of places to go during the day, food and warm clothing.
Humbercare is currently recruiting volunteers to be involved in the Futures project.
A workshop is being held next month for Hull community and voluntary organisations to increase awareness about what services are available for homeless people and to promote partnership working.
For more information, contact Detty Tyler at East Riding Council Voluntary Action Services, Morley's Cottage, Morley's Yard, Walkergate, Beverley or call 01482 871077.
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