Day Centres To Close To Protect Vulnerable Adults

Day centres have been closed indefinitely in Richmond following the global COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of day centres is among stringent measures being taken by the government in efforts to protect the population from the coronavirus. Sheen Lane Day Centre, the Access Project Day Centre in Whitton, and Woodville Centre in Ham are the day are the centres that have been affected in Richmond.

During the issuance of these measures, the Richmond council noted concerns about the difficulties the action had to the families. However, Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health, and Housing Services, noted that "Protecting our most vulnerable residents is the number one priority for Richmond Council at this time." Further, the councilor indicated that they are working in line with national government guidance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, the federal government has called upon the population to register for the support they need, including shopping deliveries and any additional care needs. The government approach is a relief to the families that are affected by the closure of the day centre. Further, an extensive guideline on dealing and taking care of the vulnerable people has been distributed by the government to the population through online platforms and the borough authorities. With increasing numbers of the COVID-19 in the country, Richmond authorities have promised to remain vigilant in the fight against the spread of the deadly virus across the borough.

Rough sleeping numbers rise in the city and more services provided

More people in Brighton & Hove are rough sleeping compared to last year. Statistics from the government, in collaboration with Homeless Link, show an increase of 34% of people is sleeping outside in 2019 compared to 2018, which had 58 people.

The increase in numbers is unexpected in Brighton & Hove in the current century. However, the challenge of rough sleeping is not a Brighton & Hove challenge alone; instead, it has been regarded as a national challenge. Councillor Gill Williams, the borough city council, calls the current predicament as "shocking and unacceptable."

Contrary to the increasing number in Brighton & Hove, the national tally has recorded a reduction in two years in a year. This is after a seven years continuous increase in these numbers in the United Kingdom. According to the national government report, the reversal of the increasing trend is attributed to the formulation of the rough sleeping initiative in March 2018.

The current alarming figures have seemingly awakened the Brighton & Hove council as they have invented various approaches to help the homeless people and those at risk. The services developed have been categorized in multiple categories of severe weather shelter, night shelter, street outreach, supported accommodation, rough sleeping hub, somewhere safe to stay, and supportive outreach services.

Last year, the council approach to fight homelessness recorded positive impacts. Specifically, the services facilitated the help of 500 people sleeping rough, the intervention of 717 households, and funding of 732-bed spaces in the city.

The council fight is on course, and a victory could be near as more focus has been directed to combating homelessness in Brighton & Hove. On 27 February 2020, the county passed a budget of £30.9 million for use in the services. The budget includes £50,000 and £300,000 for weekend winter shelter provision and enhanced support and facilities, respectively. Further, the county has partnered with Brighton Housing Trust, YMCA Downslink, Sussex Police, St Mungo's, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and Brighton & Hove Connected.