During the recent cold weather, the BLOSM team have been working with local partners on outreach to rough sleepers in Huddersfield. The cold weather meant a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was in place, so people identified as sleeping rough were offered temporary accommodation through a specialist housing team in Kirklees Council. Together, they identified seven people who had slept rough across central Huddersfield. All were encouraged to attend the Mission later on that morning for assessment and emergency shelter.

BLOSM Service Lead, Alistair Christie, said: “It was a great opportunity to strengthen the links and relationships between CHFT and the Community Homeless Support Team. It helps make sure we are able to support people attending our Emergency Departments who have been sleeping rough, especially during the recent cold weather.”

Pictured from left to right are Alistair, BLOSM Drug and Alcohol Dependency Advisor, Jo Watkinson and BLOSM HIUG Lead, Fran Berettoni, with Senior Housing Solutions Officer in the Kirklees Rough Sleepers Initiative and Hospital Discharge Team, Rob Flockton. They were out with Rob last Wednesday morning, at 6am, walking all across central Huddersfield and up towards Edgerton as part of the daily outreach by Kirklees Rough Sleepers.