If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough on the streets, the following local organisations can offer advice and support:
Mendip Outreach Team
You can report a rough sleeper to the Mendip Outreach Team via their email: outreach@mendip.gov.uk
They will need a description of the person if possible, their location and what is there (i.e tent, sleeping bag etc). The Outreach team will aim to visit the location and assess the person’s needs within two days.
When the temperature is below zero the Outreach Team aim to get everyone off the street into short term emergency accommodation.
Please also see Somerset Council’s Housing Support page for details about Somerset’s emergency accommodation, especially in the colder weather snaps. You can also call Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224. If calling after 5pm, on a weekend or on a bank holiday, call the out of hours service on 0300 123 2327.
StreetLink
StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping by enabling members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.
The street outreach services that StreetLink connects people to are for adults only. If you believe that the person you are concerned about is under 18, please call 999.
StreetLink rough sleepers emergency number: 0300 5000 914
Fair Frome
Somerset Council’s Housing Coach runs a homeless housing drop-in session for people over 25 on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 11.30am to 1pm at Fair Frome.
Shelter
Shelter offer one-to-one advice, support services and personalised help with housing issues and homelessness.
Their free emergency helpline is open 365 days a year to answer calls from anyone struggling with a housing issue or homelessness: 0808 800 4444
Other services which can help people in need of support are:
Housing Options Team
People who are or may become homeless can receive in-depth homeless prevention advice with an emergency appointment to come back later the same day.
The best way to access the Housing Options team is to visit the Council Access Point in Frome Library 9.30am – 1pm, 2pm – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. You can also contact the Housing Options Team on 0300 303 8588.
Mendip (Frome) Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB no longer have an office in Frome but can be contacted via their web form or on 0808 27 87 842 10am-4pm Monday-Friday.
The Bridge Café – Selwood Road Drop-in café and support
Wednesday – Friday 11am-1.30pm
The Good Heart Cafe
Offer free hot meals and cups of tea to rough sleepers or anyone else in need. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 12pm – 7pm. This service is funded by the local community through a pay-it-forward scheme.
Find out more about what Somerset Council are doing to end rough sleeping: www.somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/
