Spreading some festive cheer to homeless families this Christmas

Released:

Volunteers at The Renewal Centre and staff and residents from Solihull Community Housing – Solihull Council’s housing provider – have pulled together to provide Christmas Treats for local families in temporary accommodation. The goodies are packed and ready and drivers from Solihull Community Housing will deliver them this week in time for Christmas.

Cllr Karen Grinsell, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “We’ve helped nearly 1,500 households at risk of becoming homeless since April and have been able to support many people into long term housing but unfortunately, some families will still be in temporary accommodation over Christmas. I hope these Christmas goodies will spread some festive cheer and show we are thinking about them while we continue to help them into permanent homes.

“Sadly, we know from experience that more people will become homeless and at risk of sleeping rough over the festive period as domestic abuse increases and other tensions rise. I would like to repeat our message that nobody needs to sleep rough in Solihull. Throughout the Christmas period, out of hours arrangements will be in place for people who find themselves homeless and in need of emergency temporary accommodation and our outreach team will continue to check the streets for people who need help. They will also help and support those who aren’t ready to make the move into accommodation.

“Local people can play their part too by being our eyes and ears and reporting and referring rough sleepers via StreetLink. I would also ask if people would like to donate to Change into Action and help to support local homeless people.”

To request advice and assistance if faced with homelessness and in need of emergency temporary accommodation, contact Solihull Community Housing (SCH) on 0121 717 1515 (24/7)

To make a donation to Change into Action visit - https://changeintoaction.org.uk/solihull/

To contact StreetLink and connect people sleeping rough to local support services visit www.streetlink.org.uk

Picture shows left to right: Surjit Balu, SCH Executive Director of Housing and Communities, Naomi Ridgeon, Community Project Lead, The Renewal Centre and Cllr Karen Grinsell with Christmas goodies at The Renewal Centre