A CHARITY which helps the homeless is appealing for much-needed support to secure vital funding

This November, Off the Streets, a grassroots group made up of volunteers who are working with the rough sleepers in Southend, are calling for the support of the local community to help win funding as part of the Aviva Community Fund 2018.

Del Thomas, chair said: “We are a community project and are appealing to the community to help us get this funding. "This will help us not only to keep going but also allow us to apply for a Housing Justice kitemark which will show and reassure people that we are a safe and secure shelter for people. We are also working in partnership with HARP and have found that relationship very helpful."

They offer permanent shelter for up to 10 people every night and work with them closely in order to help them move on not only with housing needs but also with help for benefits and GPs.

Off the Streets is relying on votes to increase their chances of winning funding which they hope will allow them to carry on helping the most vulnerable in Southend. Only projects with the most votes will become finalists.

Resident Steve Glatter said: "I have watched the shelter from a distance for the last few weeks. I am in the property over the road so am one of the closest residents to the shelter and my girlfriend lives around the corner to the shelter and after witnessing all the antisocial behaviour from drug and drink misuse during the last four years in this area, we had serious misgivings about homeless people congregating around the shelter, hoping for a bed for the night.

"Four weeks later I am delighted that the shelter is being run in a highly efficient way. The guests go straight into the building from 8pm with no congregating outside. They then settle down watching tv or whatever and then leave peacefully at 8am, before most of the shops open for business.

"So far I have seen no adverse effects in the area and hear many positive remarks about the shelter. To me, this shelter is the difference between life and death to some of these guys this winter. There were six deaths among the local homeless last year. After watching their achievements it has led me to volunteer my time to the shelter to help in any capacity I can, keep up the great work people."

To get behind Off The Streets and help make a difference in your local community, community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-1937 and submit your 10 votes before November 20.

For more information on Off the streets, visit www.facebook.com/groups/428932964206560/