No Second Night Out for Rough Sleepers

A campaign has been launched to ensure no one will live on the streets of the City Region and no individual sleeping rough for the first time will sleep out for more than one night.

The No Second Night Out initiative says that while there may be many reasons why somebody sleeps rough for one night there is no reason why they need to spend a second night on the streets.

People living in the Liverpool City Region are being urged to support the campaign by phoning the local helpline whenever they see a rough sleeper on 0300 123 2041.By ringing this number you will support local homeless agencies to ensure no new rough sleeper spends more than a single night on the streets.

Councillors representing six local authorities across the region have signed up to the initiative at an event held in St George’s Hall, Liverpool on Thursday. Four people talked about their experience of being homeless and how No Second Night Out could have stopped them sleeping rough.

The No Second Night Out campaign is backed by councils in Wirral, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton who will ensure that appropriate services are available across the whole of the city region

The initiative supports the Government’s rough sleeping strategy ‘Vision to end rough sleeping: No Second Night Out nationwide’ and is being rolled out nationally with the support of umbrella organisation Homeless Link. The Liverpool City Region is the first to officially adopt the standard outside London, where the No Second Night Out pilot has ensured 70% of new rough sleepers do not return to the streets.

The Liverpool City Region No Second Night Out initiative has been supported by £120,000 of additional Government funding in recognition of the success of the good work that is already being done in the region. This additional funding is providing the local free phone number, extending outreach provision and allowing co-ordinate services to be more effectively coordinated.

Outreach services for rough sleepers throughout the city region will be coordinated by the Whitechapel Centre, who have received funding for this initiative along with Liverpool YMCA.

David Carter , Whitechapel Centre’s Chief Executive said: ‘I am delighted that we have been chosen to provide assertive outreach services across the Liverpool City Region in order to help deliver and achieve the ‘No Second Night Out’ standard.  This partnership between the six councils and an array of different providers will transform services, ensuring real options are made available to support new rough sleepers off the streets within 24 hours.’

Cllr George Davies, wirral Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety added:

“This is a really important initiative that I feel very strongly about. Tackling homelessness is a priority for Wirral Council and we are pleased to be working with our partners in the city region to address this issue and raise awareness.”

Mark McPherson, Director of Practice and Regions at Homeless Link, said:

“Homeless Link are delighted that the Liverpool City Region has joined the campaign to end rough sleeping in this country.

“Every night, someone sleeps rough for the first time. We know that the longer they stay out, the worse their problems can get and the harder they can be to overcome. A life on the streets can lead to substance misuse, crime and serious physical or mental health problems.

“No Second Night Out is a simple standard that means putting the right services in place so no one spends more than a single night on the streets. The Liverpool Region is leading the way on this commitment outside of London. We look forward to supporting them on their journey.”

Posters advertising the No Second Night Out phone number will appear at bus stops, rail stations and in areas where people have been known to sleep rough.

There will also be a Facebook site and further information is available on the website nosecondnightoutmerseyside.co.uk