Fifty people experiencing homelessness during pandemic helped at Queensferry night shelter

People experiencing homelessness in Flintshire during the coronavirus pandemic have been supported by a new service, Glanrafon Homelessness Hub, which has rapidly responded and adapted to the crisis.

 

In the National Welsh Government rough sleeper count in October 2019, there were 10 people rough sleeping recorded in the county.

 

The number had tripled from three people since 2017. A pilot emergency bed scheme for rough sleepers had been operating since 2018 but this had come to an end in September 2019.

 

The former Glanrafon day centre on Deeside was used by Flintshire Council as a temporary night shelter during extreme weather.

 

In February this year, the Council partnered with leading Welsh homelessness and rough sleeping charity, The Wallich, to develop and repurpose the centre as a homelessness hub, open every night, 365 days a year, offering warmth, meals, and importantly, advice and support to move away from homelessness.

 

As the coronavirus situation worsened, and the urgency to get people unable to self-isolate off the streets and into safety became a priority, the partnership between the local authority and the charity increasingly drew upon its wider partners to include police, harm reduction agencies, health services and others intent on solving the issue of people forced to sleep rough during lockdown.

 

Solutions included an urgent increase in staffing so the Glanrafon Hub could operate 24 hours a day enabling people to remain indoors day and night in line with Welsh Government guidance, and the addition of seven self-contained cabins on the premises providing a safe place for people to self-isolate away from others if they developed symptoms.

 

Due to the efforts of all involved and some innovative thinking, the partnership has worked tirelessly together to accommodate 50 people experiencing homelessness since lockdown began.

 

The Glanrafon Hub offers an evening meal, breakfast, showers, laundry, specialist advice and access to other agencies.

 

It caters for people of all genders and people are even able to bring their dogs. The Wallich’s specially trained staff have been working around the clock throughout the coronavirus crisis to ensure they get people off the streets and give them the help and support they need to turn their lives around.

 

Sophie Haworth-Booth, Area Manager for North & Mid Wales at The Wallich, said, “It has been a challenge responding to COVID-19 whilst continuing to deliver critical support and accommodation services, but I’m incredibly proud of how our staff have reacted quickly to changes in the way they work and have gone above and beyond to support people who have become homeless during the pandemic. Our colleagues in the Council, BCUHB and Police have also been incredibly supportive during this time.”

 

18 people have already moved on from the hub into more permanent accommodation in the community. People are also receiving support to manage their mental and physical health and finances.

 

Martin Cooil, Housing & Prevention Service Manager from Flintshire Council said, “The Covid 19 pandemic has presented significant changes for everyone in their daily lives and these are particularly challenging for those people who don’t have a place to call home and may face sleeping rough.