Comment Picking up the pieces for a failure of government
tion and the help offered to deal with mental health issues.
The team has established a real network of intelligence and co-ordinated support and is making a real difference to vulnerable people in Birmingham.
I heard about the woman who had been sleeping rough on and off for 10 years and had become increasingly worried about her safety on the streets. She also expressed concerns about being indoors and the team had to take a softly-softly approach, meeting her on a daily basis to gain her trust, find out what she wanted and help her to make that first step.
She eventually moved into accommodation in early September and the team continued to work with her (at her own pace) coming up with an effective plan.
The team’s willingness to understand there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution is clearly key to working with and understanding those tragically sleeping on our streets. So how can you help? Earlier this month an alternative giving campaign was launched to help people sleeping rough in Birmingham.
Jointly supported by Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority, Change Into Action raises money for trusted
In far too many cases, street sleepers are the victims of austerity Council Leader Ian Ward
local charities and street teams to help rough sleepers get the help they need (changeintoaction.org. uk/donate/).
In an ideal world we wouldn’t need Change Into Action or the Street Intervention Team; we wouldn’t need the growing army of compassionate volunteers who work tirelessly to help feed and clothe the homeless in England; we wouldn’t need the food banks that far too many families are forced to rely on.
Sadly, all those interventions are absolutely essential as we head into 2018 because too many people are being let down by a failing government, meaning local government and others must pick up the pieces. Councillor Ian Ward (Labour) is leader of Birmingham City
Council