The stories of people who will be homeless this Christmas in Dorset

Homeless charity Shelter defines homelessness as someone who doesn’t have a fixed permanent address or may live in unsuitable housing.

This can include sofa surfing, a term used to describe people who sleep on different peoples' sofas when they do not have a home, rough sleeping on the streets, squatting or in refugee from domestic abuse.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sharp rise in homelessness across the country as Dorset Council rehomed rough sleepers in accommodation, including hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area.

Those rough sleeping are more vulnerable to becoming ill and frail over the festive period and Winter due to being exposed to harsh weather and cold conditions.

Dorset Echo visited town centres to hear and speak to people who will likely sleeping on the streets of Dorset this Christmas.

They shared how they became homeless and where they will be this Christmas.

Man rough sleeping on and off for 23 years

Danny, 37, has been rough sleeping in Dorset for several weeks. Picture: Michael Taylor

Danny, 37, was sat outside McDonald’s on St Mary Street in Weymouth town centre with a cup of tea in his hands.

Originally from Doncaster, he explained that he became homeless because he was unable to settle in a relationship and accommodation and has been rough sleeping “on and off” for a number of years.

Danny also revealed he has children but is unable to see them due to his living conditions and lack of money.

He said: “This time, it’s just been three to four weeks. I was rough sleeping in Dorset last year as well.

“But I have been rough sleeping on and off for 23 years. I have been working all my life but the problem is I always mess up with women. Plain and simple.”

He explained he used to manage his own business as a self-employed painter and decorator. If another job became available, he would take it.

At night, Danny sleeps in doorways in Weymouth town centre, but he claims to have been moved on by patrolling police officers amid concerns about aggressive begging.

He said: “We used to sleep overnight in a doorway but we have been moved as we have been accused of aggressive begging, but we’re just sleeping there.”

Admitting he felt “hopeless” sat on the streets of Weymouth, Danny believed there was “no plan” and is just trying to survive this Christmas.

He said: “There’s no plan at all, I’m just sleeping in a doorway. Due to this Covid (pandemic), you can’t go and have a meal at a soup kitchen. There’s none of that now.”

When asked if he would take an offer of a place to stay at Christmas, he said: “You’d see the smoke coming off my shoes, I’d be that quick!”

‘I don't care where I am this Christmas as long as I am with my brother'

Rough sleepers sleep in this area of Weymouth town centre.

Sat next to Danny is his brother, who gave his name as “John”.

The 23-year-old has been travelling around the country since becoming homeless eight years ago and has slept in doorways with his brother.

He said: “I have been rough sleeping on and off for about eight years. In the Dorset area, I have been here for about three years.

“Before that, me and my brother just travelled around.”

John added: “I first became homeless at 15 years old and I couldn’t settle. My stepmother died, I went off the rails, got married at 18-year-old, had a son.

“I have had jobs since but alike my brother, we just seem to mess it up.”

John revealed that rough sleepers in Weymouth town centre band together and help each other out.

He explained: “There are a few people here and we all stick together. If they need help, we help them out. Vice versa.

“We are like a family. It’s hard times but we’re getting through it.”

John also praised the “helpful” shoppers and businesses in Weymouth town centre who have given them hot food and drink.

“They have been helpful”, he said.

“Coffee #1 is very helpful. They give us food, let us charge our phones, let us use the toilets.

“Customers also buy us food and drink from McDonald's. The manager at McDonald's helps us out with food.”

John also praised local charities Lantern and Julian House giving them sleeping bags and helping them find accommodation. He is however content with rough sleeping over Christmas as long as he is with his brother, Danny.

He said: “I don’t think it will come that quickly, but as long as we’re together, I’m not bothered."

‘Being homeless is the most horrendous experience in the world’

Tim, pictured before he became homeless, worked in property management before he lost his job and became homeless.

Tim, 59, never thought a move from Sevenoaks for a better life in Dorset would see him lose his job, the breakdown of his relationship and having to sleep in his car for several weeks.

He explained he had moved to Sherborne seeking a better work-life balance and had previously worked in property management in London.

Tim remarked his “whole world imploded”, before stating: “I was working in London and moved to Sherborne with my partner. The relationship broke down in the middle of November and I found myself living my car.

“I didn’t really know anyone in the area. I was laid off my job in the previous month so I had no money.”

Unable to travel back to London due to coronavirus restrictions, Tim slept in his own car for a month and drove around different areas of Dorset.

During this time, he tried to find help or a new job while also fearing for his safety - two incidents saw people attempting to break into his car.

“It was cold, it was damp and it was awful”, he said.

“There were no facilities in and around Sherborne for homeless people. As far as I was aware, I was the only homeless person in Sherborne.

“On two occasions, someone tried to break into the car while I was sleeping. I was frightened.”

After several weeks of rough sleeping, he called the outreach team at Julian House, who tried to find accommodation for him stay in.

Fearing he would be homeless at Christmas, he was rehomed by the charity in Weymouth last week. He has nothing but praise to share about Julian House, calling them “absolutely fantastic”.

He said: “I made contact with the outreach team at Julian House who did an assessment and met me.

“They kept in touch with me on a regular basis and then completely out of the blue, one of the team members, Darren Knight contacted me to say he had accommodation in Weymouth.

“They are absolutely fantastic. They’re absolute stars.

“They make sure you are warm, welcomed, fed and it is a lovely house.”

Tim is now rebuilding his life at his temporary accommodation with his eyes set on getting a new job and a permanent new home in the new year.

Reflecting upon his time rough sleeping, he said: “All I could say to anyone who is homeless, my heart goes out to them.

“It is the most horrendous experience in the world. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy.

“You are cold, hungry and is not a nice place to be.”

What Dorset Council is doing for homeless people

Dorset Council is doing its best to rehome rough sleepers in Dorset.

According to their website, Dorset Council carries out an assessment which involves investigating their situation, their local connection to the area before assessing what support can be offered to resolve their current situation as well as set out “reasonable steps” to take to secure alternative accommodation.

A spokesman for Dorset Council noted that the authority is actively trying to rehome homeless people within its area as well as offer support to rough sleepers.

He said: "We submit DELTA figures to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government once a month.

"The first submission of this on June 3, we had accommodated 110 people under Covid.

Figures from our last submission on November 30, we now have 25 still in emergency accommodation and B&B, 37 have been moved into settled accommodation and four have been moved into supported accommodation.

"We currently have 28 sleeping rough, although this is an on-going figure and will be made up of original rough sleepers, those who have been evicted from tenancy agreements and those who are new to the streets, plus those who come back in or find other accommodation."

More details about how Dorset Council tackles homelessness and rough sleeping in its area can be found through this link.