Homeless Charities in Surrey Report No Available Beds for Christmas

Organizations assisting the homeless population in Surrey report that they are compelled to decline individuals seeking help due to a surge in demand. The Renewed Hope Project, located in Redhill, confirmed that all 10 of its accommodations are already occupied for the Christmas period. Similarly, the York Road Project in Woking stated that its 10 beds are also full, resulting in 10 people being turned away who will be without shelter during the festive season. Kristina James-Talbot, the operations manager, commented on the difficulty of the situation, stating, “It’s really difficult to just hand someone a sleeping bag and tell them that you haven’t got a bed for them for the night.” She informed BBC Radio Surrey that the charity endeavors to “try and make a difficult situation as easy as we possibly can,” which includes “going out and checking on them in the morning, and they’ll be offered a Christmas lunch.” She further noted that while such circumstances are “difficult at any time of the year,” they are particularly challenging “at Christmas time with all the festive cheer going on.” Jason Evans has been provided with a bed after previously sleeping under a bridge in Woking. He described his former sleeping arrangement, saying, “I’ve got a special little spot that’s secluded,” adding, “I know it’s safe, I know it’s dry.” Evans also recounted the dangers of being on the streets: “You can be on the streets and people will urinate on you, they’ll swear at you, they’ll kick you, they look down on you.” He expressed his hope for a new beginning, stating, “I know I have to start all over again, and I’d like to say I’m in the right place.” The York Road Project has an opportunity for an anonymous local donor to match fund £5,000 if the charity successfully raises that amount. Robert Eyers, the fundraising manager, explained the financial pressures, saying, “Next year it’s going to cost us a lot more than it ever has to run our services, due to the increased cost of living and reduced funding from statutory services.” He emphasized the significance of donations, adding, “£10,000 will go a long way towards us keeping us open.” For further updates, follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Story ideas can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites and provides information on its approach to external linking.