Andy Burnham issues 'rallying call' for volunteers to help end rough sleeping

Andy Burnham issues 'rallying call' for volunteers to help end rough sleeping Speaking on a visit to the North-East of England, Andy Burnham warned the funding might not be enough, and issued a plea to the public to get behind his 'moral mission' Andy Burnham has issued a "rallying call" for volunteers to help end rough sleeping after admitting Government funding “may not fully be enough”. The new PM has pledged to offer a place to stay to every rough sleeper by Christmas, with emergency accommodation and help rolled out in England later this year. Downing Street said under the support - backed by £442million - areas with the greatest need will receive the largest share in order to get people out of the cold in winter. However, speaking on a visit to the North-East of England, the Makerfield MP warned the funding might not be enough, and issued a plea to the public to get behind his "moral mission". He said: “The Government money itself may not fully be enough. So I am saying, putting the call out to community and voluntary organisations – we’re at one here in Newcastle today, doing fantastic work. “But we’re saying to the wider community, voluntary, and faith sector: come on, let’s get behind this. Let’s show what Britain can do when we all pull in the same direction. “We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again, and it’s a rallying call, really, that I’m putting out there today with a lot of Government money behind it.” Visiting the homelessness charity Changing Lives in Newcastle, Mr Burnham also defended his previous record on homelessness in Greater Manchester, saying: “We did bring the numbers right down, but because we were the only area providing a high level of support, more people started to travel and it became difficult.” Responding to Mr Burnham's announcement, those with experience of rough sleeping set out what was needed to tackle the issue. Electrician Jason Dugdale, who live in Tottenham, North London, said people just been the "opportunity", and that the financial pledges made will be "massively helpful". The 39-year-old said: "I was on the streets a few years ago, and I was given opportunities to get back into society. I was given activities where I could meet employers, or I could meet people that are new mates, and then I was also given the opportunity to have my own place, which I have had for a year, and I'm really happy now.” As well as housing, Jason said mental health support was just as important, explaining homeless charity St Mungo’s had helped with his depression, ADHD and insomnia. He said: “They’ve been working with me since the beginning trying to make sure that I attend my doctor's appointments and stuff, helping me fill out the forms if I need it. “Anyone who lives on the streets is going to experience some form of attack on their mental health. You have your up days and down days, like people taking your stuff, I went through that. So even when people are trying to help you you don’t always think it’s worth it. We need to make sure they get the right support. “Everyone is going to have their different problems, but if they are addressed, they can work on their mental health, then maybe they can work on their physical health, and then they can work on their employment. It’s a ladder that you need to climb.” Lee, 54, who was supported by St Mungo’s, praised Mr Burnham’s ambition in pledging to end rough sleeping. Lee, who now works as a creative writing volunteer at one of St Mungo’s Learning Hubs, said: “Getting rid of homelessness is a big thing, but man's gone to the moon, you know? As a human race, we do all sorts of incredible things. “I think hopelessness and helplessness are two things that I experienced in myself and other people when I was homeless. If we can offer people some small glimmer of hope that things can get better, that's going to have an effect across the whole of society, not just for homeless people, but for everybody. Every homeless person is someone's brother, sister, son, father... a member of the community. “You know, we're seeing all these heroes in the new Odyssey movie, but homeless people that live on the streets and are able to bring themselves up and go on to do something that they want to do with their lives... that’s also heroic.” St Mungo’s CEO, Emma Haddad described the announcement as a "pivotal moment" for the "thousands of people experiencing rough sleeping". She said: "Every day, we see the devastating impact rough sleeping has on people’s health, safety and hope for the future. It deepens trauma, negatively impacts mental and physical health, and makes it even harder to access support. A roof over somebody’s head provides immediate safety, but lasting recovery requires intensive, person-centred, joined-up support. "That today’s announcement provides both a commitment to get people off the streets quickly, as well as the tailored support needed to help them stay off them for good, is exactly the right approach. We stand ready to work with the Government, this winter and beyond, to make that ambition a reality.” Earlier the Housing Secretary Angela Rayner backed the PM's record on the issue in Greater Manchester, arguing that it is "really difficult to do in isolation". He introduced schemes such as A Bed Every Night to provide emergency accommodation to those sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough. Initially, the number of rough sleepers in Greater Manchester fell, but figures have risen each year for the past four years. Ms Rayner said:"We've got to keep a relentless focus on it. I think that's the message from both what happened at the pandemic and also what happened in Greater Manchester. The other lesson from Greater Manchester is it's really difficult to do in isolation. We saw the figures go down, but obviously then we drew in people from other areas into Greater Manchester who knew that there was an offer there."