WITH Christmas fast approaching and most people will be safe and warm at home, there will be people sleeping on the cold streets of 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.

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.

A number of homeless people are expected to sleep on the streets this Christmas in Dorset, as charities such as Lantern and Julian House on hand to ensure vulnerable people can be housed and fed.

Dorset Echo: Danny recently spoke about his experiences of rough sleeping in Weymouth town centreDanny recently spoke about his experiences of rough sleeping in Weymouth town centre

If a person is concerned about a rough sleeper, many homeless charities advise asking them if they need anything to eat or drink as well as talk to them to check if they are OK.

Kerry Mellor, a team leader at Julian House, believed that anyone concerned about a homeless person should contact Streetlink online or by calling 0300 500 0914.

She said: “You will be asked where the person is bedding down, what time you saw them and whether you have any additional information.

“If you also supply your contact details then the outreach team will contact you to let you know they are on the case!

“This referral comes straight through to Julian House's Assertive Homeless Outreach Team (AHOT).

“They are out on the street six days a week, making contact with those who are sleeping out and making sure they can access all relevant services, whether that be housing, benefit claims, health needs or a combination of all of these - or something else entirely.

“They also build trusting relationships with those who are wary of services or have become habituated to street living, to enable them to gradually make small changes and move away from rough sleeping.

“As they are street based, it is important that the description of where you have seen the person is as detailed as possible.

“If the person is not in their area (they cover Dorset, excluding Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) then Streetlink will send your referral to the relevant outreach team in that area.

“You do not have to speak to the person or supply any personal information.”

Anyone who wants more information on rough sleeping or to donate to Julian House can visit https://www.julianhouse.org.uk/service/outreach-dorset/