More homeless suffering as Christmas approaches

There has been a dramatic increase in homelessness in the last month according to a Winchester charity.

Lucy Tennant, a representative of Trinity, indicated that there has been a steady increase of people using their services over the last few weeks.

Tennant said: “Nationally homelessness has been increasing, but Winchester saw a dip over the last couple of years.

“It is however definitely rising this year. Last month we were seeing 40 people a day, but we saw 60 people one day last week.”

Trinity provides a drop in service where they serve hot food, provide advice and have laundry and shower facilities.

Last year they had 11,761 visits to Trinity’s base in Winchester where they served 14,300 meals.

Peter North the chairman of Trinity said in his report: “Homelessness is projected to rise across the country and all related and crucial services are under particular pressure.”

The change in weather, “may be a reason for the increase” of people using the charities services said Ms Tennant.

As the festive period is approaching Trinity try to do a little more to help the vulnerable.

“We had a Christmas tree donated by one of the local supermarkets, we get more festive food donated and we just try and make it a celebratory time,” Ms Tennant said.

The charity also encourages people to make shoe boxes full of practical presents for those suffering this Christmas.