MP Neil Coyle roughed it in the freezing cold outside Southwark Cathedral last month to raise awareness around London’s homelessness problem.
The MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark spent the night in a sleeping bag from 10pm on Friday, November 25, until 6am the next morning.
After raising over £600 for the ‘Sleepout for Robes’ fundraising event, he said: “It was cold, but clear and didn’t rain thankfully. I read for the time I couldn’t sleep… it is a long night and sleep is patchy but everyone who does it says it is worthwhile.
“It makes you grateful for your own home comforts – a hot shower and comfy bed – as well as more aware of what others are going through nightly.”
The Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) June report found that homelessness in Southwark was on the rise.
It found that, across London, the number of people recorded as sleeping rough was up by 23 per cent compared to the previous year.
The number of rough sleepers recorded in Southwark was up by eighteen compared to January to March, and by thirteen compared to the same time last year.
Meanwhile, government data recently revealed the number of tenants facing homelessness after being served with “no-fault” eviction notices has risen by 76 percent in a year.
Paul Venning, Chair of the Robes board, said: “We are very worried that the cost-of-living crisis will exacerbate an already difficult situation. So doing everything possible to help people through the crisis and ensure they don’t get forced out of their accommodation is vital.”
The charity encourages churches to open their halls to homeless people and has worked with almost thirty across Southwark and Lambeth.
Paul Venning added: “Many people referred to our shelter are new to rough sleeping or are ‘hidden homeless’ – moving between friends’ sofas, cars and the street.
“Providing emergency accommodation to prevent them becoming regular rough sleepers is critical. Consistent political will made a real difference during covid, when there was a huge effort to move homeless people into safe single-room accommodation, and we need this to continue.”
To get involved with Robes, visit: https://robes.org.uk/