“We have warm, safe and dry accommodation waiting”

ROUGH sleepers have been reminded that they don’t need to be out in the snow as many places in the city open their doors to them.

Cardiff council are urging rough sleepers to come off the streets tonight in a plea to prevent loss of life due to the severe weather.

Councillor Lynda Thorne said: “It’s already bitterly cold in the city and the weather is set to get even worse later in the week. There’s no need for people to have to sleep rough in Cardiff when there is so much provision available to help.

“We have warm, safe and dry accommodation available and waiting for you. Sleeping on the street is extremely damaging to a person’s health and wellbeing so please, come in and let us help and care for you.

“Our emergency bed provision has had availability throughout the winter – as much as 90 spaces earlier this week – which just goes to show that the complex issues surrounding rough sleeping are much more complicated than providing a roof over someone’s head for the night.”

If you see anyone homeless on the streets this evening Cardiff council has issued an update advising people to call 02920873900 or email roughsleeping@cardiff.gov.uk.

The police also shared the following information for rough sleepers:

St Peter’s Church in Roath are also providing beds for rough sleeps tonight from 7pm, the last admission will be at 9pm. You can make a referral for someone by contacting Pastor Dave Pritchard on 07976515627.

The Al Manar Centre on Glynronddha Street in Cathays, are collecting donations of sleeping bags and clean warm clothes which will be distributed by the Welsh Muslim Council in liaison with the Huggard Centre.

The nearby Dar Ul Isra Mosque on Wyverne Road, Cathays, is open for those without heating or food. There is also space for people who need to sleep there for the night.

Taff Housing have set up a pop up drop-in centre which will be running from 10am to 4pm today and tomorrow. The centre is in Alexandra House at 307 – 315 Cowbridge Road East. The centre is being run by volunteers and hot food is being served.

A Splott-based cafe Luvly Grub, with the help of volunteers, are delivering hot food, drinks and toiletries to the homeless in the city centre today and tomorrow between 12pm-3pm.