Milton Keynes City Council is expanding its help for vulnerable people who have been rough sleeping, with a new and more modern base for emergency accommodation and support, as part of its work to ensure no one needs to sleep rough in Milton Keynes.
The city council is relocating its shelter from the Old Bus Station to Mullion Place in Fishermead, which will give even broader access to support for anyone experiencing rough sleeping.
The new facility, close to the city centre, will be operated in partnership with Connection Support, a city charity who work with people to help them overcome life’s challenges and live independently. It will provide 24-hour help for up to 20 people at any time, providing drug and alcohol recovery programmes alongside life skills training such as cooking lessons. The previous facility offered onsite support but was set up for men only in a dormitory style, whereas the new accommodation has individual rooms alongside showers and kitchens and can accommodate all sexes in a more dignified environment.
It also means individuals can now stay for 24-hours, giving people more time and space to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives, and to more comprehensively use the personalised help on offer to build their skills and confidence in living independently. The Fishermead facility was previously used by the Salvation Army for a similar purpose, providing accommodation for former rough sleepers.
Since opening in June 2022, the Old Bus Station facility has provided a safe overnight space for 528 people facing rough sleeping, accommodating up to 19 individuals at a time, which was enough space to ensure no one had to sleep rough in the city. Then and now, the city council’s outreach team offer support and stay in regular contact with any individuals who are sleeping rough. Some people may not engage immediately but the caring team never give up on anyone.
The new base in Fishermead allows the city council to build on its work. Over recent years, it has introduced a range of initiatives to reduce rough sleeping, with the number of people on the streets falling significantly. Alongside providing support with mental health diagnosis and treatment, many people have been reconnected with their loved ones, and used financial assistance to secure a rented home – helping them to stay off the streets for good.
“This is a really positive move and means we can offer an even higher standard of care for people who need it most. Our new facility in Fishermead allows us to offer people a space where they can stay longer, stabilise and access the help they need to move forward. Our aim is always to help people build a life away from the streets and we’ll be able to do this even more effectively going forward.”