It’s time we changed says Allen Brett, Leader of the Council

I know like many people across the borough it saddens me to see people forced to sleep rough on our streets.

In this day and age in a prosperous country such as ours, it's simply unacceptable for anyone to be forced to sleep on the streets. As the days get colder, this becomes even more of an issue; as I write this a freezing wind and driving snow have hit the borough.

I read a shocking government statistic recently that said year-on-year since 2010, rough sleeping numbers have increased by 15 per cent. The government have even earmarked £50 million of funding to help ease the problem.

Lack of accommodation alone is rarely the issue: most people becoming homeless have other needs, whether for welfare and debt advice, short-term support needs following illness, break-up of relationships, loss of employment, or long-term entrenched issues with addiction, criminal behaviour or mental illness.

We've worked hard to reduce homelessness in Rochdale, and effective prevention work, as well as some innovative work by partners, has made a real year-on-year impact on homelessness across the borough; keeping street homelessness to a minimum.

But I simply feel that that's not enough; we can always do more.

And that's why here in Rochdale we've become only the second borough in Greater Manchester to launch a pioneering new scheme to help get people off the streets.

Real Change Rochdale launched at the Borough of Rochdale Homeless Action and Information Network (BRHAIN) earlier this month builds on the experience of the Big Change Rochdale campaign we ran in 2017.

The scheme enables people across the borough to donate money online, which will go directly towards practical items to help people on the streets, for example providing deposit for a home; enrolment on a training course or new clothes for a job interview.

Donations go directly to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness via local charities and voluntary groups including: Sanctuary Trust, Rochdale Borough Housing, Petrus, The Bond Board, Turning Point, Stepping Stone, Rochdale Council and Riverside Housing Group.

People with first-hand experience of homelessness will take lead roles in delivering the programme, as part of the Sanctuary Trust's Pass It On scheme, which provides training and development opportunities for people who were previously on the streets.

Over £1000 has already been raised to kick-start the scheme, with Rochdale College Sixth Form College winning the Real Change Challenge competition set for supporters and partners.

The campaign is now looking for more people, workplaces and community groups to fundraise on behalf of Real Change and help tackle homelessness in their community.

The cause is supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Riverside Housing Association and all donated money goes towards helping people in Rochdale. The aim is to eventually roll the campaign out across Greater Manchester.

I know it's natural for people to want to give money to people on the streets, but I would encourage people to donate to Real Change Rochdale instead. At least that way they can be assured their donations will make a massive difference to people who are homeless.

Donate here: https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/31176

Donations are managed and administered by Rochdale Housing Initiatives, a local social enterprise, according to a strict Dispersal Policy.

Real Change is based on the Big Change initiative in Manchester, which has raised over £250k to help end homelessness since it started in 2015.

More information on the Real Change Rochdale website: www.realchangerochdale.co.uk

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125494/new-campaign-to-tackle-rough-sleeping-launches-in-rochdale

Allen Brett