Christmas is the time of festive cheer – but for some in Nottingham there is a much darker reality.
The festive season is one of the most dangerous for the homeless as the nights get longer and the temperature plummets.
And this December there are more people sleeping on the streets in years, with an estimated 50 per cent more rough sleepers than last year, according to local charities.
This means more vulnerable people in need of help and protection from various organisations.
Sam Lyons is the team leader of the Framework Outreach programme which helps rough sleepers get off the streets and into accommodation, with the ultimate aim of finding homeless people permanent housing.
People will be sleeping rough on Christmas day
He said: “Every morning 365 days a year my colleagues and I go out and check rough sleeping spots to try and identify why people are on the streets and how to get them off them.
“People will be sleeping rough on Christmas day so we will be out offering support.”
One such person who has benefited from support from Framework is Tom Coates who has been homeless for the last five years.
Tom said: “The outreach team have been really helpful. I’ve only been here (Nottingham) three days but they’ve came and seen me every day.”
He added that he is struggling to get accommodation as he doesn’t have any local connections.
Tom added, “I’m not looking forward to it getting colder. I’d like to hope that I can get in (accommodation) before that.”
The Thomas Helwys Baptist Church, Lenton, runs a Winter Shelter providing beds for homeless people between November and March.
But not everyone can get in due to a shortage of beds, among other reasons.
Mr Lyons said: “It goes without saying the colder it is, the wetter it is, the more risk people having of suffering from exposure to the cold. Everyone knows rough sleeping is dangerous, a rough sleeper’s life span is much shorter.”
It makes you feel subhuman
As well as the inherent danger that the festive season brings, there is another, often overlooked, issue for the homeless.
Mr Lyons added: “There’s all sorts of emotions flying around as it can bring back memories of family. Christmas is a particularly emotive day for a lot of rough sleepers.”
And while the homeless are already going through a tough time over Christmas their problems are often exacerbated by members of the public being rude and even aggressive towards them.
Tom told us how just before we spoke to him a man had gone “mental” at him for sleeping on the streets.
Tom said: “Being totally blanked is infuriating, in some ways I’d rather people tell me to go away than ignore me, it makes you feel subhuman, like you don’t exist.”
Video: Tom talks about street abuse in Nottingham city centre
Although the theory of Christmas being the season of generosity rings true, as homeless people and charities receive more donations, often the homeless want something more from you: your respect.
To speak to Framework to report homelessness for you or somebody else contact them on 0800 066 536.
