Early on in the action to control Coronavirus, Government made it a priority and provided emergency funding to ensure all rough sleepers had a place to go. Together with our partners at Somerset West & Taunton Council and the YMCA Dulverton Group successful accommodation and support has been provided at Cannonsgrove in Taunton.
Taunton Deane MP, Rebecca Pow visited the site, set in a beautiful landscaped area on the edge of the town, and saw for herself how well the centre is working. As well as safe accommodation and meal provision a range of other services have been provided by a diverse partners including social workers, mental health services, the police, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, the NHS, the Salvation Army and even the local post office and store.
Rebecca Pow MP said: “This is a superb example of a one stop shop to help and tackle rough sleeping and the results are very encouraging. It demonstrates that though partnership working lives can in many cases be transformed. This could be a model for others to follow and I will be speaking to Rough Sleeping Minister, Luke Hall, with a view to establishing this as a permanent centre.”
