Coronavirus in Leeds: Charities helping rough sleepers and asylum seekers

Members of the Leeds Street Outreach team were joined on Wednesday by staff from the Forward Leeds drug and alcohol service and Bevan Healthcare Community Interest Company.

They reported that the lunch packs were all handed out within 90 minutes, with offers of accommodation made and healthcare checks also carried out.

It is just one example of how agencies and charities in the city are endeavouring to continue the vital support given to rough sleepers in Leeds.

St George's Crypt had previously pledged to do everything in its power to keep its key services running amid the outbreak of coronavirus, officially known as Covid-19.

It has had to suspend its full lunch service but is still providing light lunches from the back door of its Care Centre in Great George Street.

Pos­i­tive Action for Refugees and Asy­lum Seek­ers (PAFRAS), which works with asy­lum seek­ers, refugees and local communities in Leeds, said that 73 people had been in today for food or to see a caseworker.

Its team provided 35 food vouchers to destitute asylum seekers and gave out 50 food parcels and toiletry packs.

Appealing for donations, it said: "The work we are maintaining is absolutely essential for destitute asylum seekers in Leeds. We will carry on for as long as we can. To do that we need your help with food donations. To arrange dropping off donations. Please call the office on 0113 262 2163."

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Meanwhile, rough sleeper charity Simon on the Streets said it had met with other organisations working with the homeless community to discuss ways forward.

It said: "People experiencing homelessness, particularly those rough sleeping, are extremely vulnerable and at risk of infection. They are three times more likely to experience a chronic health condition, including asthma and COPD.

"​We hold a greater risk to our clients than they do to us as we are much more likely to come into contact with Covid-19 than our clients."

The charity said it was continuing to provide support at a "key time" for the most vulnerable on the streets with some services needing to close or limit services.

Its staff have been supporting people, including clients in temporary accommodation, with appointments and accessing services.

"We're ensuring all our clients have phones so we can keep in contact with them and continue to provide emotional support," the charity said. !We're also providing advice on washing and cleaning, as well as providing food parcels.

"We are in real need of hand sanitisers and antibacterial handwipes for our clients as those on the streets are struggling to access washing facilities - any donations would be greatly appreciated."

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Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced earlier this week that £3.2m of emergency funding will go towards helping rough sleepers self-isolate.

All local authorities in England will be reimbursed for the cost of providing accommodation and services to rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping, who are suffering from or at risk of coronavirus, the Government said.

But the funding will not support the work of independent charities such as Simon on the Streets, which receive no government or council funding.

Addressing its supporters, the charity said: "As is expected, fundraising events are being cancelled to protect public health. This however does mean that we will see a dip in funding.

We are an independent charity and do not receive any funding from the government or local authority. Without your donations we could not do the work that we do to support the most vulnerable in our communities."

Donations can be made online via the websites for Simon on the Streets, St George's Crypt, PAFRAS and Big Change Leeds.