“The best thing about my job is supporting clients to create positive change”

“We never know what we will face – each shift is a challenge, whether it’s the weather conditions or because we will have to wake up vulnerable and frightened people.

When I’m doing an early-morning shift, I start my day at 5am. I dress for the weather – mostly walking boots, waterproof clothing, hat, and then head out with a colleague of mine.

We receive regular reports from members of the public and professionals via StreetLink about individuals they have seen sleeping rough. For these referrals, and for known rough-sleeping hotspots, we put together a route to locate and support people sleeping rough in our area.

The fast pace of the job keeps me going during the early mornings. The fact that as cold as we may be, the individual we have found rough sleeping is colder. We go the extra mile in all conditions to reach out to people rough sleeping.

The best thing about my job is supporting clients to create positive change.

Many of the people who are sleeping rough in our area are living with complex mental and physical health conditions, and some may be dependent on alcohol and  illicit substances – all exacerbated by living on the streets. We work collaboratively with other homelessness services and charitable organisations to ensure people are getting the best support.

The support we can offer all starts with finding the person rough sleeping early in the morning and verifying that they are sleeping or bedded down outside. We can then assess their needs and refer to services which can assist with creating change. Within our Rough Sleeping Multi-Disciplinary Team is a range of services and professionals and the idea is that this is a ‘one stop shop that does all’ where we can refer instantly and the client does not have to wait for lengthy referral times or waiting lists.

Our work involves helping a client transition from rough sleeping to finding and living in accommodation; reconnecting them to their home area; supporting them to improve their physical and mental health; addressing substance use; supporting them with welfare benefits and income; helping them access relevant immigration advice; and supporting them into employment, training and education.

Sometimes it can take a long time for someone to engage with our outreach service. It was only after seeing an individual at the same sleep site over 40 times, that he eventually accepted our offer of support. After linking him in with various services, we were able to support him to move into his own accommodation with support from a mental health nurse.

Being consistent and going at a person’s own pace is so important in outreach work – it’s not about forcing people to make changes, it’s about being there when they are ready.

We apply techniques like motivational interviewing and coaching to work in partnership with our clients – it is then that we can work with the client to achieve change. This helps them to get a roof over their head. Without that roof, or bed, it is difficult to function, difficult to go to work, and a lack of sleep impacts on one’s thinking ability. Imagine if you tried to sleep on a bench with a gale force wind blowing onto you whilst you were scared that someone might approach and attack you, and you’re still expected to go to work for the day. It’s very challenging.

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing someone go from not being impressed with being woken up on a park bench and screaming at us, to getting them on board to receive support, and helping them gain accommodation, end their rough sleeping, and receive resettlement support to create tenancy sustainment.”