West Yorkshire Police and organisations that work with homeless people teamed up for a 'day of action' last week — shining a light on the people who spend their lives working to help those on the streets.
One of the leaders put in Huddersfield was Paula Loftus, senior client service manager from Stonham Home Group.
A very effective person with bags of experience across West Yorkshire she immediately got down on her hands and knees to speak to rough sleepers and was quick to strike up a rapport with them.
Her organisation is one of the UK’s largest care and support providers and works with vulnerable and elderly people who have a variety of needs.
She is based at Clare House, Huddersfield, which opened just before Christmas and in that time has helped 87 people who were homeless or sleeping rough on the streets of the town.
There were also representatives from Lifeline, a registered charity with 40 years experience of managing drug and alcohol services.
It provides a huge range of services including community detoxification services, criminal justice and prison initiatives, family work and services for young people.
In addition Kirklees Council Housing Solutions were also represented. Their mantra is: ”We do not want to see anyone sleeping on the streets in Kirklees.”
The police as upholders of law and order inevitably get drawn in to deal with complaints from business owners and residents regarding begging and anti-social behaviour.
They work with agencies to try to improve conditions for rough sleepers and those with drug and serious medical conditions.
