It’s not often that the UK political agenda turns to rough sleeping. Andy Burnham has made ending rough sleeping a huge part of the agenda for his new government. And, there’s much to be admired in that. It seems that he is sincere and committed to make this happen. We wish him every success in the world. But we feel that we’re in danger of overlooking the immediate needs of rough sleepers while we reach for the final goal.
So, here’s a plea to Andy Burnham and all governments across the UK: Work with The Ootsider. Give us a small fraction of the money that’s been ear-marked for this vital programme. With you, we’ll provide one of our live-saving, waterproof Sleeping Coats to every rough sleeper in the UK who wants one.
We’ve already given away over 400 of our 3-in-1 Sleeping Coats to people in need but we could be doing so much more – with Government help.
What happens tonight?
Andy Burnham has placed a timeline on ending rough sleeping by Christmas in England – and we’re sure that Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow a similar approach. Let us just say again how amazing that sounds!
But it’s amazing in a good and a bad way. The positive is that our Governments are taking rough sleeping seriously in what seems like the first time in decades. The negative is that, sadly, it sounds a little like a pipe dream.
There’s the old but true adage about there being no easy answers to complex questions. The issues that surround rough sleeping – drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, domestic and sexual abuse – aren’t going away any time soon. We all know you’re going to need a plan in each of these areas, you’re going to need a radically different social care environment and a change in attitudes from society as a whole before we have any chance of truly eradicating rough sleeping.
The housing tragedy
Then there’s the thorny issue of housing. To end rough sleeping, you need somewhere that these people can go to get permanent and safe accommodation. Andy Burnham points to the Covid pandemic when rough sleepers were ‘taken in’ and housed in empty hotels. That was great but clearly a temporary measure. In fact, we no longer have those hotels so even a temporary fix is looking challenging.
Longer term, the perilous state of the housing sector doesn’t breed much optimism. The rise of homelessness has a direct link to the rise of rough sleeping and local authorities aren’t just struggling – they’re often failing – to meet their housing commitments. Hostels are currently beyond capacity with people now sleeping in the streets in tents.
So, while we wish the PM and Governments well with this commitment, we need to ask ‘What happens tonight ?’. A pledge doesn’t make the issue go away. Those people shivering and vulnerable on our streets need help now. It’s not hyperbole to say this is a matter of life and death – estimates suggest that 1161 people died on our streets in 2024.
That’s something of which, as a society, we should all be ashamed.
Rough sleeper could be warm and dry tonight
Our pledge is a simple one. We have the coats and we have the capability. All we need is the funding and the political will. We were formed to provide rough sleepers with an item of clothing that will keep them warm and dry day and night – through the worst that the weather – especially here in Scotland – can throw at you. Everyone deserves dignity, warmth and respect and we’ve shown time and again that this is exactly what our Sleeping Coats give in a small but very meaningful way.
So, what do you say Andy Burnham and other Government leaders? Shall we work together? Shall we provide help and support to the most vulnerable people now while we work towards a long-term solution where there’s no one in that situation? Let’s not forget the rough sleepers in our attempts to end rough sleeping?
