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I am doing a sponsored rough sleep for three nights to hopefully raise at least £1250 for survival packs for the homeless in Totnes. I will be sleeping rough for three nights in the town from Monday the 19th of May. My life will continue as normal and I won't be taking time off work. I will just be sleeping rough outside on public land for three nights.

When I lived in North Devon my neighbour and good friend became an alcoholic so I know his sad story for why he turned to alcohol to cope. I only found out fairly recently that a number of years later he died on the streets of Totnes from exposure to the elements. Having a survival pack could have saved his life. Here is his story:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/06/another-homeless-man-died

Our national charity "Shelter" stated in December 2024 that 3,900 people are sleeping rough on any given night in England (a 27% increase from 2023).

Research carried our by the "Museum of Homelessness" showed 1,474 homeless people died in 2023 - a mounting national crisis which revealed the following:

- Deaths of people sleeping rough up by 42% in one year versus 2022 figures across the UK.

- Across all forms of homelessness, fatalities increased by 12% versus their 2022 figures.

- 20% more young adults experiencing homelessness completed suicide.

- People experiencing homelessness are at least 3 times more likely to be murdered.

- The data shows stark regional inequalities in England with people in rural areas dying up to 10 years younger.

I aim to purchase the following basic items mostly from our local Mountain Warehouse shop (and elsewhere) that will provide potentially life saving items for the homeless. I have rounded figures up a little as their prices fluctuate depending on what clearance sales and other discounts that they have running at various times. This is a small supply so the more the better.

Men's waterproof jacket and trousers (S/M/L/XL) - £60 x 8 = £420

Women's waterproof jacket and trousers (S/M/L/XL) - £60 x 8 = £420

4 x survival bags = £30

4 x sleeping bags = £300

4 x dry sacks to store the above = £80

I have been planning a simple signposting service for homeless people in the town for where they can get help for the various issues homeless people face. Now, there isn’t a significant rough sleeping problem here in Totnes. However, I have spoken to a number of people that have migrated to the town over the last three years, that are not familiar with the town, and have been a rough sleeper here for a short time. I gave them local advice that they actually needed at the time that I spoke with them and this gave me the idea of a simple signposting service to help them meet their basic needs.

There is also the hidden homelessness problem where there are people living in tents and vehicles in the surrounding area which is not a lifestyle choice; as some people do choose to live that way. They manage to survive the best they can and generally know where they can get their basic needs met. However, a simple accidental fire in a tent for example can leave someone exposed to the elements and the provision of a sleeping bag and wet weather clothing might be life saving.

There is help and support for rough sleepers available via our local police and South Hams District Council but there are a lot of complex problems that can prevent people from getting or accepting the help that they need at the time that they need it.

Having been a rough sleeper myself in the past I understand the life threatening risks homeless people can potentially face like my good friend above that died here one night on the streets of Totnes from exposure to the elements.

The signposting service will essentially be posters, leaflets and the provision of a survival pack. The provision of a survival pack will be via a call to me on a mobile phone dedicated to the service, or a direct message on Facebook, where I will then meet them to pass it on.

The generation of posters and leaflets is in progress as I need permission for one entry on them. There will also be a Facebook information page once the posters and leaflets are complete.

Thank you for your time in reading this.

Statistics links:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/at_least_354000_people_homeless_in_england_today_

https://museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-research-shows-1474-homeless-people-died-in-2023-a-mounting-national-crisis-revealed

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