A new monthly social event for rough sleepers has been launched at Gravesend’s Methodist Church Hall by Gravesham Borough Council and partner organisations.
Providing a safe space where those in need can socialise, enjoy a hot meal and have an informal chat with representatives of homeless support organisations and charities, the event is being supported by an anonymous sponsor.
Cllr Jenny Wallace, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, said: “It’s important that those who find themselves without a home have something to look forward to and a place where they can meet with others in the same situation and chat with support workers in an informal and unpressured environment.
“We hope these monthly events will provide just that and we are extremely grateful to our generous sponsor, the volunteers who will be making the afternoons happen, and our ever-supportive partners for working with us to get this up and running.”
The new event is the latest in a raft of measures the council and its partners have in place or have planned to support the Borough’s rough sleepers, including successfully securing three years’ worth of funding from the South East Consortium Foundation Fund, to support the Methodist Church’s daytime hub.
In November 2021, the council opened its own supported accommodation for rough sleepers, providing safe beds for up to 14 people, on Wrotham Road, Gravesend.
Developers Hill Group, which has entered into partnership with Gravesham council to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in the borough, is donating eight purpose-built SoloHaus homes to provide safe, secure, and quality accommodation for former rough sleepers ready to take the next step on the road to independent living.
Cllr Wallace said: “Working together with partners, we are doing all we can to support those rough sleepers who want our help.
“One rough sleeper on the streets of the borough is one too many, and I would like to thank all of those involved from both the council and our partner organisations for their invaluable efforts.”
If you see someone sleeping rough in Gravesham, please provide details to https://thestreetlink.org