Sleeping rough in the depths of winter is very tough for those without a home, but BCP Council is hoping to prevent many people from doing so.

Additional emergency accommodation places will be provided in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole thanks to £148,000 of funding.

The additional funds, from the government’s Winter Pressures Fund Grant, has been awarded to BCP Council to provide extra emergency accommodation and wrap around support for people who are sleeping rough in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole during the winter months.

An additional 22 places in emergency accommodation will be made available including any additional support services someone might need such as health, social care, substance dependency and mental health support in collaboration with colleagues from the BCP Homelessness Partnership.

Cllr Hazel Allen, portfolio lead member for Homelessness, said: “No one should have to sleep rough, especially in the colder winter months. This additional funding is very welcome news and allows us to provide more emergency accommodation places so that someone who is on the streets is offered somewhere safe to stay and also has access to any support services that they may need. This early support can be invaluable in helping someone to move off the streets and on to a more positive future long term.”