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Supporting the Homeless - Contact us for more information
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Supporting the Homeless - Contact us for more information
Homelessness is a growing problem for our town
We can help with your support
Homelessness is a growing problem for our town
We can help with your support
Prior to Covid-19 we provided supervised overnight accommodation to homeless people (our Guests) who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Hastings and St Leonards during the extreme winter months (November to March).
Our Guests were referred to us by various local organisations and agencies, primarily Hastings Borough Council Housing Department, Probation Service, and the Seaview Project.
Prior to Covid-19 we provided supervised overnight accommodation to homeless people (our Guests) who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Hastings and St Leonards during the extreme winter months (November to March).
Our Guests were referred to us by various local organisations and agencies, primarily Hastings Borough Council Housing Department, Probation Service, and the Seaview Project.
The Trust is funded entirely by voluntary donations and income from grant-making bodies.
Whilst not formally necessary for a charity of Snowflake's size, the Trustees have signed up to the new fundraising guidance from the Information Commissioner, and also registered with the Fundraising Regulator.
There are a number of ways you can help.
The Trust is funded entirely by voluntary donations and income from grant-making bodies.
Whilst not formally necessary for a charity of Snowflake's size, the Trustees have signed up to the new fundraising guidance from the Information Commissioner, and also registered with the Fundraising Regulator.
There are a number of ways you can help.
As you can imagine, things are having to be different again this year in regard to the Winter Night Shelter.
COVID-19 means that the Snowflake Trust Ltd and the Hastings and St Leonard Churches will, again, be unable to offer the same dormitory-style winter night shelter accommodation as had been provided for nine years. However, it is the Council’s intention to make winter accommodation provision for known/verified rough sleepers.
Hastings Borough Council have responded to the need to provide single room accommodation in the current situation. They have leased properties to provide additional temporary accommodation to those who would otherwise be street homeless. This will run very differently from the Winter Night Shelter and the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) team will take responsibility for assessing and placing residents and for managing the houses.
Hastings Borough Council have again asked the Snowflake Winter Night Shelter to continue to be involved in this Winter Temporary Accommodation, and, as last year provide hot evening meals to those in Temporary Council Accommodation. We will also be looking to increase our social interaction with residents where safe to do so.
It is disappointing that again we will not be able to operate the Winter Night Shelter, but we are all getting used to things not being the same and having to do things differently. We are pleased that the Council is continuing to provide extra Temporary Accommodation and we will help to support the residents where needed.
For anyone in the position of being homeless they should make a referral to Streetlink via https://www.streetlink.org.uk/ . or by calling 0300 500 0914. As these referrals come through, the Council will make offers to all known/verified rough sleepers. Some of these will be winter provision; some will have other more suitable accommodation depending on their needs.
As you can imagine, things are having to be different again this year in regard to the Winter Night Shelter.
COVID-19 means that the Snowflake Trust Ltd and the Hastings and St Leonard Churches will, again, be unable to offer the same dormitory-style winter night shelter accommodation as had been provided for nine years. However, it is the Council’s intention to make winter accommodation provision for known/verified rough sleepers.
Hastings Borough Council have responded to the need to provide single room accommodation in the current situation. They have leased properties to provide additional temporary accommodation to those who would otherwise be street homeless. This will run very differently from the Winter Night Shelter and the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) team will take responsibility for assessing and placing residents and for managing the houses.
Hastings Borough Council have again asked the Snowflake Winter Night Shelter to continue to be involved in this Winter Temporary Accommodation, and, as last year provide hot evening meals to those in Temporary Council Accommodation. We will also be looking to increase our social interaction with residents where safe to do so.
It is disappointing that again we will not be able to operate the Winter Night Shelter, but we are all getting used to things not being the same and having to do things differently. We are pleased that the Council is continuing to provide extra Temporary Accommodation and we will help to support the residents where needed.
For anyone in the position of being homeless they should make a referral to Streetlink via https://www.streetlink.org.uk/ . or by calling 0300 500 0914. As these referrals come through, the Council will make offers to all known/verified rough sleepers. Some of these will be winter provision; some will have other more suitable accommodation depending on their needs.
Additionally, rough sleepers are encouraged to approach the Housing Needs Team at 01424 451100 for an assessment, if they haven’t already done so.
SWEP will operate again this year. Notification will be sent to partner agencies when SWEP is activated/deactivated. As regards access, the Housing Needs Team (01424 451100) should be contacted during office hours; and the Out of Hours number (01424 451999) after 5.00pm or over the weekend.
"Volunteering was a fantastic experience and I am proud to have been part of a group that is helping homeless people in the immediate and also the long term."
"Snowflake has been a life saver to me and the staff are very very helpful and extremely nice what more can i say I've said it all 5 stars."
"I would like to thank all staff & volunteers at Snowflake for all they done for me both while staying there and then for additional help esp regarding xtra help assisting me with getting housed. "
"Volunteering was a fantastic experience and I am proud to have been part of a group that is helping homeless people in the immediate and also the long term."
"Snowflake has been a life saver to me and the staff are very very helpful and extremely nice what more can i say I've said it all 5 stars."
"I would like to thank all staff & volunteers at Snowflake for all they done for me both while staying there and then for additional help esp regarding xtra help assisting me with getting housed. "