Sheffield’s Homeless Experience Heightened Isolation During Christmas Period

On Christmas morning, as many individuals awaken with family and friends, anticipating gift-opening, charity workers in Sheffield will commence their day by visiting the city’s rough sleepers. Framework’s street outreach team conducts daily welfare checks on individuals living on the streets, simultaneously assisting them in securing housing and benefits. This year, the charity documented an unprecedented number of rough sleepers within the city, leading to the highest demand ever for its services. Steph Haines, a manager and member of the team scheduled to work from 06:00 GMT on Christmas Day, stated: “Unfortunately homelessness is a problem all year round.” During August, the charity identified 71 individuals sleeping rough within and near Sheffield city centre, marking a 78% rise compared to the preceding year. “For the average person Christmas can be joyous, but for our clients it is a reminder of what they don’t have and the dire straits they are in,” Ms Haines commented. She added: “Begging is often seen as a negative thing, but for our clients it’s also human contact.” Ms Haines further explained that “At Christmas, when shops are shut, our clients struggle because they don’t see anyone and they feel even more forgotten.” Notwithstanding the heightened demand, the charity is experiencing financial constraints, prompting staff to engage in fundraising efforts throughout the year to address a funding deficit. Framework, an organization providing support to homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Sheffield, reported an anticipated additional annual expenditure of £1.1m for employer’s national insurance contributions. The charity also indicated it faced an additional £700,000 to accommodate living wage increases. Andrew Redfern, the charity’s chief executive, stated: “The withdrawal at the stroke of a pen of £1.4bn from the charitable sector will cost a lot more than it saves as the impact on services will be dramatic.” He added: “At Framework we have done the cost-saving measures – the only option now is to cut services if the organisation is to remain viable.” A spokesperson for HM Treasury responded: “Our tax regime for charities, including exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with tax reliefs worth just over £6bn for the tax year to April 2024.” The spokesperson further commented: “We have protected small charities and businesses by more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of all employers with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year.” Notwithstanding the financial challenges, Ms Haines expressed that engaging with rough sleepers on Christmas morning would be a “privilege.” She remarked: “I know some of them better than my friends, I see them day in day out.” Ms Haines concluded: “To be honest there’s no other way I’d like to spend my Christmas.”