By Mary Temperton

Leader of Bracknell Forest Council

As a council, one of our key priorities is ensuring every resident has access to the support they need, no matter their circumstances. Homelessness, particularly rough sleeping, remains a critical issue, but I am proud of the work our housing team is doing to tackle it head-on.

Each week, our dedicated officers are out as early as 6am, visiting various sites across the borough, offering outreach services to those known to be sleeping rough.

Our team goes above and beyond, working in all conditions to engage with individuals who may feel isolated and vulnerable. They are not just housing officers but a team that includes a mental health professional and an officer from the drug and alcohol support team. This holistic approach ensures we address the root causes of homelessness and provide the right kind of support for those in need.

We know that homelessness is not just about providing shelter; it often involves complex factors, including mental health challenges and substance misuse. That’s why our team works tirelessly to build trust and encourage anyone sleeping rough to engage with them.

This crucial relationship is the first step towards getting them off the streets and into safe accommodation. And this isn't new for us; our housing team has been committed to supporting rough sleepers for many years.

I want to reassure residents that we have visited everyone currently known to be sleeping rough in Bracknell Forest. In response to one of our social media posts, we had 17 referrals which our team is now following up on.

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please don't hesitate to contact Streetlink, an excellent service that connects rough sleepers to local services.

For more independent advice and guidance on homelessness, I encourage you to visit Shelter, which provides invaluable information about available support.

At Bracknell Forest Council, we also have a comprehensive five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, regularly reviewed and updated with the help of our partners. This strategy underlines our commitment to not just managing homelessness but ending the need for rough sleeping in our borough altogether.

We’ve been heartened by the offers of support and the positive feedback from residents. I am confident that together we can achieve our goal of making sure that no one in Bracknell Forest has to sleep rough.