Help for people sleeping rough

This page provides information for anyone who is at risk of or experiencing rough sleeping and anyone who knows or works with those who are.

We also have information on homelessness and help for people facing homelessness on this website.

What to do if you are concerned about someone rough sleeping

StreetLink is a nationwide service that enables members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them. You can report concerns about rough sleepers at any time to Streetlink via their website. They also have a smartphone app you can download to make reporting quicker.

Report concerns about someone sleeping rough via Streetlink

Reporting will automatically trigger an alert to outreach services to check on the welfare of the person rough sleeping and offer them support and advice.

What to do in an emergency

If someone is unwell or distressed please telephone 999.

Do not put yourself in danger or approach someone acting strangely, even to help the person.

Rough sleepers outreach service

This service is funded by the Rough Sleeping Initiative. It carries out proactive outreach work, generally between 4am and 7am.

The service:

Identifies people who are rough sleeping
Helps rough sleepers to connect with local services and support
Supports people to reconnect with their home authority if appropriate

Additional engagement sessions are undertaken throughout the week, with targeted interventions supported by a dedicated team of multi-disciplinary specialists.

A team of move-on workers support people with a local connection to secure accommodation.

Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Council services for rough sleepers

If you are sleeping rough you can make an appointment with our Rough Sleepers Specialist Housing Options Officer.
Contact us by email [email protected] or telephone: Eastbourne Borough Council 01323 410000 Lewes District Council 01273 471600

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

The council delivers a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). During severe weather the Councils provide accommodation for all rough sleepers.

SWEP is activated during severe weather conditions and will be published on our website. We inform relevant local services when SWEP is activated.

We will provide accommodation for anyone who is sleeping rough when the feels-like temperature falls below zero during the night.

The accommodation is usually in a local church hall and those who wish to access the service should contact us.

During normal working hours contact us by email [email protected] or telephone: Eastbourne Borough Council 01323 410000 Lewes District Council 01273 471600.

For urgent out of hours assistance telephone: Eastbourne 01323 644422 Lewes district 01273 471600.

Outside of office hours

For urgent out of hours assistance telephone: Eastbourne 01323 644422 Lewes district 01273 471600.

Other local services for rough sleepers

There are local services available to people who are rough sleeping or 'sofa-surfing'.

Details about these services on our Food provision in Eastbourne factsheet.

Free food provision around Eastbourne Town Centre (PDF, 156 KB)

Salvation Army - daycentre

Showers available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am - midday
Clothes washing facilities
Hot drinks and snacks available for a small fee
Advice and help, drop-ins, signposting, computers and phones available

Open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and on Fridays from 8.30am to 4pm.

Address: 149 Langney Road, Rebourne Centre, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 8AG

Email: [email protected] or telephone: 01323 417149

Matthew 25 - daycentre

Providing food, clothing and basic necessities
Breakfast provided daily with lunch provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm

Address: Matthew 25 Mission, Brodie Hall, Seaside, Eastbourne, BN22 7NN.

Telephone: 01323 726960

Eastbourne Winter Night Shelter

The Eastbourne Winter Night Shelter is provided by several Eastbourne churches cooperating together and offers supervised overnight accommodation to homeless and vulnerable people who would otherwise be rough sleeping between December and February.

All guests must be interviewed prior to admission.

For referrals and assessment interviews telephone 07932 407730. Interviews are by appointment only.

Email: [email protected]

Kingdom Way Trust

Kingdom Way Trust oversee the Winter Night Shelter on behalf of local churches. They also run three other projects:

The Bridge
Hope into Action
Hope Woodwork.

The Bridge and Hope into Action are accommodation schemes. Hope Woodwork is a carpentry and furniture making programme. The service is not exclusively for rough sleepers and works with individuals on the gradual development of skills for work.

For more information visit kingdomwaytrust.org