As sub-zero temperatures continue to grip the region, a campaign was launched to help provide much needed support and protection for those sleeping rough on the streets of the West Midlands.

Marking its fifth year, Change into Action’s winter campaign is asking for the public to contact StreetLink if they know or see anyone sleeping rough across the region so that they can be connected to local support services who can work towards putting an end to their homelessness.

This year’s campaign, which has been launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in partnership with the region’s local councils, will also give festive shoppers and visitors to the popular Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham city centre the chance to make donations with a simple swipe of a bank card or smart phone.

Two new contactless points have been set up by the Colmore Business Improvement District (BID) at Wayland’s Yard Coffee Shop on Bull Street and at Snowhill Station.

Image: Cllr Thompson and The Mayor (middle) promote Change Into Action's winter campaign.

Thanks to the generosity of residents and local business, over £270,000 has been raised over the last five years through Change into Action and Alternative Giving CIO in Wolverhampton, helping more than 700 rough sleepers across the region to change their lives for the better.

To raise awareness about this year’s campaign, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, visited the Frankfurt Christmas Market with Cllr Sharon Thompson, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members Advisory Group and cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, Birmingham City Council, to hand out leaflets to stallholders, other local businesses and shoppers.

The Mayor, said: “At this time of year, our thoughts and prayers often turn to the circumstances of the less fortunate. We know that conditions during the winter period present the greatest risks to the health of people who sleep rough and that is why we are working in close collaboration with our local authority and wider partners to ensure that every effort is made to connect individuals with appropriate services to meet their needs and support them to move away from sleeping on the streets for good.

“The people of Birmingham and the West Midlands have demonstrated their generosity and willingness to help through Change into Action. We ask if they are in a position to do so to continue supporting the campaign so that together we can ensure that there is a route off the streets for every single person who finds themselves there.”

John-Jo Von Johnson, Colmore BID’s street operations manager, said: “Colmore BID’s Safe & Sound mission is to make not only the district, but also the wider city centre as safe as possible for all. Our team operates day and night in the District to support vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness. Working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Change in Action means we can further the impact for local people.

“We also understand that many people who want to help may not carry cash with them, so we wanted to make donating as accessible and seamless as possible. That’s why, working with Birmingham City Council and Change into Action, we are extremely proud to have launched the first two contactless giving donation points in the city.

“In these challenging times, it has never been more important to support and look after each other. With one tap of a card, we can all help to keep someone safe and change the circumstances of those experiencing homelessness. It only takes one small donation to make a big difference.”

Councillor Thompson, chair of the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce Members Advisory Group and cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, Birmingham City Council, said: “Over the years thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham public Change into Action has helped to change the lives of hundreds of people in the city sleeping rough.

“These new contactless pay points will make giving even easier and quicker to do. We know that the cost of living crisis means that money is very tight this year and that people are really struggling. However, if you are able to donate anything, however small, it would mean a great deal of difference to changing the lives of people sleeping rough. Every penny you give goes to helping those people most in need”

Change into Action is led by the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce and was set up by The Mayor in partnership with Birmingham City Council in December 2017.

Over time it has grown to include the local councils in Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall, with Wolverhampton having a similar scheme called Alternative Giving CIO.

Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness at Coventry City Council, said: “Spending time and engaging with rough sleepers is crucial. 

“That’s why, when someone has no option but to rough sleep, the outreach team will look to link with them and support them at the earliest opportunity.

“We have temporary accommodation options and our outreach team are out early in the morning trying to persuade people who are street homeless into shelter.

“We have specialist outreach workers too, who can give expert support to people with complex needs and our approach to partnership working with other agencies is vital to this work.

“It’s difficult, but I know that outreach workers are dedicated to their work, and I really appreciate what they do.”

Councillor Laura Taylor-Childs, cabinet member for Housing and Communities, said: “We know times are challenging for many people so it is heart-warming to know borough residents have donated hundreds of pounds to help people who are less fortunate than themselves.

“As an authority, through our homelessness prevention team, we work tirelessly to support people who are at risk of losing their home or who have found themselves in an emergency situation with nowhere to stay.

“The donations through Change into Action can enhance the support available and offer that helping hand to someone in need. It has a more positive impact than giving change to someone on the streets.”

Councillor Karen Grinsell, deputy leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member with responsibility for Partnerships and Well-being, said: “With the help of our residents, partners and local businesses who actively report people they think are rough sleeping to StreetLink, our outreach team continues to support a small number of people in the borough who regularly sleep rough until they can safely move off the streets and into accommodation.

“This year, using new funding from the Rough Sleeping Initiative programme, we’ve been able to bring about greater capacity and expertise with our new Rough Sleeper Outreach Team and we are helping more people as a direct result.  We’ve also prevented 246 households from becoming homeless this year and helped 703 people into long term housing.

“Our message is – nobody needs to sleep rough, let’s work together to help homeless people. Please help us by reporting anyone you think is sleeping rough via StreetLink, the national reporting system. You can also help provide additional support by donating to Change into Action Solihull.”

Councillor Gaz Ali, portfolio holder for Customer Engagement at Walsall Council, said: “For anyone sleeping on the street, life can be a struggle. It is dangerous, frightening and isolating and rough sleepers are far more likely to be victims of crime and experience violent assault, verbal abuse and intimidation than the general public.

“Walsall Council is doing everything it can to tackle homelessness and support people to move off the streets and into accommodation. We’re proud of what has been achieved in Walsall and working closely with partners on initiatives like the successful Housing First scheme has meant that we are making a real difference and changing lives for the better.

“If you’re faced with homelessness and in need of emergency temporary accommodation, or if you’re worried about someone you’ve seen sleeping rough in Walsall, please alert the Council and Walsall’s Rough Sleepers Team. You’ll find information and advice on our website or you can email rooflessreferral@walsall.gov.uk.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for City Assets and Housing, said: “Nobody in Wolverhampton has to sleep outside or go hungry.

“Many of those who are rough sleeping do have complex needs. Our Public Health and Housing teams’ partnership approach with homelessness organisations across the city is tackling the issue, supporting people into accommodation and giving them access to the services and support they need. We also work closely with the WMCA and our neighbouring authorities to tackle rough sleeping as part of a coordinated regional response.

“We encourage local people to donate to the Alternative Giving Charity to support our homeless charity partners and the sterling work they are doing – but we recognise money’s tight and would equally welcome offers of time, skills or products to support these charities. More information can be found at via www.wolverhamptonchange.co.uk.”

If you feel you can donate this winter, please visit https://changeintoaction.org.uk/ to find out how to support people in your local area.

If you are concerned that someone may be sleeping rough then please report it through www.streetlink.org.uk/.

The notification will go directly to a street outreach team who will follow up with an offer of help. If you think the person is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.