Homeless Crisis Emerging – local charity, Turning Tides, are starting to see the real economic impact of COVID

Local charity, Turning Tides – the largest provider of support for homeless men and women in West Sussex ended 2020 supporting a record number of men and women.

Turning Tides were delighted to be announced the winners of the Community Award at the inaugural Virtual Business Awards Sussex in December 2020. After an incredibly challenging year, with a near doubling in the number of individuals accessing their services due to the pandemic, the news brought a real moment of positivity.

The start of 2021, has been no less challenging, as the real economic impact of COVID is now upon us and a homeless crisis is emerging. Many people had been hit hard by the pandemic – losing their livelihoods and their homes, through no fault of their own.

Simon, now a resident in one of Turning Tides’ services, shares his story – he is one of many who found themselves without anywhere to live over this past difficult year.

“Last March (2020) marked the beginning of the worst year of my life, within a few short days everything completely fell apart. I was living with my girlfriend and worked as a self-employed construction worker. But in March, our relationship ended. In just a few days I had the sudden realisation that our home wasn’t actually ours, but hers. Not only was I devastated about the spilt, I had absolutely nowhere to live. At the same time, the country went into its first lockdown – a frightening time for everyone. Worse still, work dried up and I found myself ‘sofa surfing’. I can only describe that time as feeling completely shell shocked and very afraid that this was happening to me”.

Simon had to live out of his work van, which he describes as “three months of absolute hell”. “It was often freezing, my roof leaked and so everything was damp. I gradually sold off my work tools in order to eat. If it rained, I would just sit in my van alone all day long. Living this way took a toll on my mental and physical health.” 

Fortunately, Turning Tides were able to provide Simon with support at their local Community Hub where he could access hot showers, clean clothes, hot meals and practical and emotional help from keyworkers which he describes as “a real lifeline”.

Claire Halford-Dale, Worthing’s Community Hub Manager explains:
“We are seeing rapidly increasing numbers of local men and women seeking our support for the first time. I have witnessed first-hand how COVID has literally ripped apart the lives of so many people within our community – people just like you and I – as COVID takes away health, jobs, relationships – and eventually homes.

Our Community Hubs are the place that offers someone with nothing – something. If the Hubs weren’t here, I think life would be unbearable for many.”

At the start of the second lockdown in November, as part of the Government’s ‘Everyone In’ initiative, Simon was offered a room at Butlins. Turning Tides worked round the clock with local authorities to bring people sleeping rough into emergency accommodation to protect them from the virus. For so many, including Simon, ‘Everyone In’ was a very real lifeline.

Simon describes that time as “feeling like I had won the lottery. I had a warm bed, I was able to cook hot food every day and my physical pains also began to heal.”

Simon is now living in Turning Tides accommodation:
“I know that finding my own home and work is not going to be easy, especially when so many others are in the same situation. The charity really has been such a godsend. Without their support and those that help fund the charity, I honestly do not know where I would be right now.”

For the first time ever an estimated 1,000 people, including families, are living in temporary emergency accommodation across the county. Unless they are supported into proper housing and, crucially, given support to rebuild their lives, it is only a matter of time before these short term remedies end and many are returned to the streets. With a shortage of temporary accommodation, limited affordable housing and rising numbers of people becoming homeless, Turning Tides are painfully aware the homeless crisis brought by COVID has only just begun.

Turning Tides are committed to finding lasting solutions for local people, like Simon, who just need the chance to rebuild their lives. They cannot do this without continued support from the community and are urgently appealing for donations to help them meet the extra need for their vital services.

A homeless crisis is happening where you live – you could be the hero of another person’s story by donating to Turning Tides today.

To donate, to find out about the work of Turning Tides’ Community Hubs, or to read Simon’s story in full, visit: www.turning-tides.org.uk/homelesscrisis

Donate by phone: 01903 680748