Rutland County Council Steps Up Support for Rough Sleepers as Freezing Temperatures Hit Rutland
As winter tightens its grip on the county, Rutland County Council has issued an urgent reminder of the support available to those facing the life-threatening reality of sleeping rough in freezing conditions.
With temperatures forecast to drop significantly this week, the Council has mobilised its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). This protocol ensures that additional emergency accommodation is made available to anyone found sleeping on the streets, regardless of their usual eligibility for housing assistance.
Freezing conditions pose a severe risk to health, and the Council is calling on the local community to act as its "eyes and ears" to ensure no one is left out in the cold.
If you see someone sleeping rough in Oakham, Uppingham, or any of Rutland’s villages, the Council urges you to report it immediately. Your call could be a lifeline.
During Office Hours: Call the Housing Options Team on 01572 758157.
Evenings and Weekends: For urgent assistance outside of normal working hours, please call 01858 464 499.
Residents can also alert the Council to the location of a rough sleeper via StreetLink, the national service that connects people sleeping rough with local support providers.
The Council’s dedicated Housing Options Team works year-round alongside partners such as P3 (Rutland Floating Support) and the Rough Sleepers Initiative to provide more than just a bed.
“Our priority is to get people off the streets and into the warm as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson for the Council stated. “But it doesn't stop there. Once safe, we work with individuals to address the root causes of their homelessness—whether that’s financial advice, mental health support, or help finding a permanent home.”
If you are at risk of homelessness or want to learn more about the services available in the county, please visit the Council’s dedicated support page:
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment
🎉 Comments Are Now Live! 🎉
Hello, Oakham and Rutland readers!
We have some exciting news to share with you: you can now comment directly on every single article on Oakham and Rutland News!
We're absolutely thrilled to be giving our amazing communities a real, active voice.
We know many towns often feel forgotten by big-name and regional media, but our mission at Oakham and Rutland News is to put local people back at the very heart of the conversation.
Now, it's easier than ever to tell us what matters most to you in your town or village, share your thoughts on local news, and connect with your neighbours. Leaving a comment is simple—just scroll down to the bottom of any article!
To keep things friendly and ensure real people are talking (not those pesky bots or fake accounts!), we kindly ask that you register with Google first.
Finally, we'll be keeping a close eye on the discussions to make sure they stay respectful and free from any bad language or abuse. This is all part of our commitment to high-quality, original local journalism that everyone can enjoy.
We truly can't wait to hear what you have to say. Your voice matters to us. Let's take Oakham and Rutland News to the next level, together!