'Homeless people don't understand what's happening' - charity worker says after helping five people off the streets during lockdown

Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen’s team started to make inquiries after five people turned up to its nightly dining session and said they had nowhere to stay.

The Government pledged £3.2 million of initial emergency funding pledged nationally to help councils support rough sleepers, or those at risk of being out on the streets during the outbreak.

They will be given somewhere to stay and self-isolate to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

After a series of phone calls and conversations with Sunderland City Council, all were found with somewhere safe to rest in temporary accommodation that same night.

The kitchen, which runs from Emanual Church in Hudson Road in Hendon to help tackle food poverty, has praised the council for its efforts, as well as volunteer Natalie Ross for her work to help find the people somewhere to go.

Andrea Bell, who founded the organisation in July, said: “Obviously we get people coming to the soup kitchen for food and supplies, but because we're all good friends, we always get talking to those who come in.

“We knew we had to help these people off the streets.

”They don’t have any idea of what’s been going, they have no recognition of what this virus is about, they don't have phones or social media.

“We started making some calls to people we know in the council out of hours and after three-and-a-half hours, we managed to get them sorted.

“It was just great teamwork, everybody worked together to try and get them rehomed, and it’s not a fast process, but everyone made sure they had somewhere safe to go.”

Click here to see an interactive map of how coronavirus has had an impact on Sunderland

A spokesperson for the council said: “More accommodation is being secured in these difficult times to ensure we can respond.

“Council staff are continuing to work closely with many groups and partners across the city as we all work together to ensure that everyone knows where and how to access the best and appropriate support.

“There are support measures available and more being put in place for all members of the community.”

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