Wycombe Homeless Connection (WHC) is urging people to help them provide winter shelter for people who may be forced to sleep rough this winter as the pandemic-related ‘Everyone In’ emergency accommodation provision for rough sleepers comes to an end.

The charity is asking for donations and for people to join their annual Big Sleepout ‘At Home’ where people swap their bed for a sleeping bag to raise money which this year will help fund their emergency winter shelter project.

The Big Sleepout 2021: At Home is taking place on Friday, November 19. You can sleep in a garden, outside a youth club or a school playground - anywhere you would not normally sleep.

James Boultbee, the charity’s CEO said: “‘Everyone In’ was the government programme that paid for emergency accommodation for most people who would otherwise have been sleeping rough during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It was successful as very vulnerable people were given a safe place they could live and self-isolate and the stability of knowing where they would be sleeping every night gave many people the chance to work to tackle the causes of their homelessness.

“However, the scheme has now ended locally and we are working with Bucks Council and our partners to make sure as few people return to the streets as possible.

"Most importantly, we want to make sure that extra-special emergency support and help is provided during the coldest, most dangerous months of the year.

“We still do not think it is safe to run our usual mobile, dormitory-style shelter as we have before.

"We believe hotel, B&B and similar rooms are a safer option, especially as the pandemic isn’t over and still poses a risk to people who have no home and are particularly susceptible to the virus.

"We are planning to offer a range of healthcare clinics, wellbeing activities and support services alongside the emergency accommodation but we need the public’s help to do it.”

The charity is asking for donations and for people to join their annual Big Sleepout ‘At Home’ where people swap their bed for a sleeping bag to raise money which this year will help fund their emergency winter shelter project.

James continued: “Last year more people than ever joined the Big Sleepout, raising over £50,000 in a fantastic effort and act of solidarity with the people we serve.

“We need to raise well over £100,000 this year to look after the people we already work with who will need a safe place to stay this winter, and to make sure we can be there for anyone else who loses their home, which is increasingly likely as the impact of the pandemic continues to hit individuals and families across the county and UK.”

“The Big Sleepout 2021: At Home is taking place on Friday 19th November. You can sleep in a garden, on a school playground, outside a youth club or just somewhere you wouldn’t normally sleep. People can take part on their own, with their family or with a group.

"There will be a Big Quiz live online on the night too for people who want to join in but aren’t able to sleep out.”

See www.wyhoc.org.uk to find out how to take part and to make a donation.