Providing support for the homeless

• What is The Four Streets Project?

A community group that supports Chichester’s homeless, our only purpose is to provide food, drink, sleeping bags, clothing and support to people sleeping on the streets or those who are vulnerably housed [sofa surfing]. Ordinarily we rescue and recycle food that would otherwise go in the bin. All the food we gather feeds the homeless and hungry of Chichester. We are also a very green organisation as we walk everywhere.

• What challenges has coronavirus presented?

The closure of almost all our food donors. Since 2017 we have been supported by local restaurants, cafes and shops. With most now closed – thankfully we are still getting donations nightly from M&S – we are, for the first time, having to buy and prepare food. Keeping volunteers and the people we support safe has also been challenging; in just one day we had to adapt to ensure we were adhering to the Government’s guidelines. But working in partnership with St Pancras church we are able to follow social distancing rules and still maintain a nightly service, offering soup, sandwiches and water.

• How can we help?

If people can donate a few pounds to fund food it would help enormously. If other supermarkets want to help as M&S does then we would love to hear from them. As part of the Covid-19 National Plan we understand that our homeless population will have a roof over their heads, but that doesn’t come with food.

• How do people find themselves homeless?

Homelessness is usually due to a complex web of reasons. Relationship breakdown, job loss, mental health issues, addiction – it’s a slender thread and one thing often leads to another. It can happen to anyone. We have known the homeless population in Chichester for the past four years and many of them have roots in the local area.

• You are a respected high profile health care leader. How do you feel about the NHS right now?

I joined the NHS in 1986. I have always been proud to work within or alongside our NHS, but prouder than ever today. Please show your support by staying at home.

• You have a demanding job and support several charities, as well as your work with The Four Streets Project. What motivates you?

I live in the heart of Chichester. The homeless of Chichester are my neighbours. My daughters and I believe that you should not walk past neighbours who are in need. Assisted by some 35 volunteers, ordinary people from all walks of life who won’t stand by and let the homeless and hungry suffer; we walk the four streets every night. Secondly, when I was 18 I was homeless myself. I lived in a really horrible and unsafe bed & breakfast with my siblings. The fear of homelessness never leaves you. I always vowed that I would do what I could when I had a stable life. This is my way of giving something back.

Further information: www.fourstreetschichester.org.uk.

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