Real life experiences inform homelessness and rough sleeping consultation in Somerset

Somerset Council launched a public consultation in July to review its homelessness strategy. The work is being done alongside the Somerset Homelessness Reduction Board, a multi-agency partnership dedicated to preventing homelessness and rough sleeping, in which our homelessness support service Step Together plays a key role. As part of this project, three of our clients John, Tyreece and Phil share their experiences on video to explain what it’s like to come back from homelessness.

Somerset’s housing system is under strain with increasing numbers of people unable to find and secure long-term housing. The shortage of suitable, affordable housing is one of the many causes of homelessness and rough sleeping. There is a growing imbalance between supply and demand.

The Council is keen to get views from Somerset residents, people with lived experience, partners and other professionals in the county. This feedback will influence decision-making and the development of a new homelessness and rough sleeper strategy and action plan for Somerset. The consultation is open to all residents in Somerset. The closing date is Monday 23 September.

Lived experience voices

Some of the most important voices to hear belong to those who have first hand experience of rough sleeping and homelessness.

We spoke to three clients from our Step Together service to find out about their experiences of life without a home, and you can watch the videos of the conversations with John, Tyreece and Phil below. We also spoke separately to their recovery coaches, who you can hear asking the questions in the videos.

Insightful

John makes insightful comments about the importance of digital literacy and how isolating it can be if you don’t have access to the kit or the knowledge to make it work. His recovery coach Becci said:

John works well with people who can work with him on a deeper level. Working in a person-centred way really helped build the relationship between myself and John. I think John had been massively let down by other services and struggled after he had been belittled for being homeless.

Eloquent

Tyreece speaks eloquently on the theme of having a home of his own, something many take for granted. His recovery coach Simon said:

Tyreece was very sensitive to being let down, or services not doing what they are supposed to do, and he can get triggered by that. By being there, it seems to enable him to feel more secure and emotionally calm and so he was less likely to get frustrated and have an outburst which has in the past caused him to react and get himself in trouble or get evicted.

Honest

Phil has found a home with his partner and is working hard to look after it and enjoy family life. His recovery coach Mary said:

Phil has worked hard to battle with his addiction and with support and hard work on his part, he’s won. He’s in a relationship with someone that has supported him throughout his journey. We worked with Phil alongside the mental health and dual diagnosis team, all playing a vital role in his recovery. When they finally moved in, we supported their move and made sure they had what was needed in their new home.  

Rough sleeping facts and statistics

Rough sleeping is the most extreme form of homelessness – it’s traumatic, damaging, dangerous and isolating. Someone who spends just three nights on the streets is 15 times more likely to experience mental health issues. In Somerset, over half of rough sleepers have mental health needs.

People who sleep rough regularly over a long period of time are more likely to die young. The average age of death is 45 for men and 43 for women.

High numbers

The rough sleeping numbers for Somerset are high. The county experienced a 19% increase in rough sleeping in its annual sleep count in November 2023, with 57 people found sleeping rough. This was the fifth highest number in the UK.

Take part in the consultation

To take part in the consultation, go to Somerset Council’s website and click on the link. The closing date is Monday 23 September.

Somerset Homelessness Strategy Consultation – Somerset Council – Citizen Space