'We are busier than ever': Leeds Homeless Street Angels delivering vital support to isolating rough sleepers

Becky Joyce, co-founder of Homeless Street Angels, says outreach teams have worked with Leeds Council to provide emergency accommodation for 108 of Leeds' 120 recognised homeless.

They are being housed in three hotels in Seacroft, Burley and the city centre where they are able to self-isolate.

Becky, her sister Shelley and a small team of volunteers are continuing to work with the individuals who they helped to rehouse, as well as high-risk families who have reached out for help.

The charity is providing vital support by delivering food packages and helping with Universal Credit and housing applications.

Becky said: "We're still here and we're busier than ever. We need to prevent the guys from ending back out on the street where they're vulnerable.

"We're trying not to go out as much as possible, leaving food parcels on doorsteps and changing how we work.

"It's a difficult time and it's hard to fundraise, but we're trying to make it easier for as many people as possible."

Working with Leeds Rhinos Foundation and other outreach teams, the charity is donating daily snack packs to the homeless team.

M&S Simply Food at Red Hall garage regularly donates excess stock to the team, including 230 packets of crumpets and Easter Eggs which will be donated tomorrow.

Becky said: "They love the snack packs, they have nothing else to look forward to. They're self-isolating so it's very lonely, and at least they know they are being looked after.

"We're all working together, a different outreach team working to deliver the snack packs every day."

Becky hopes that despite the challenging circumstances, having a safe place to stay will help some rough sleepers to find permanent housing after lockdown.

She added: "We're hoping it's a chance for them to have a bit of stability and to get their lives back together."

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