Cornwall Charity Issues Urgent Winter Appeal After Record Rise in Rough Sleeping

St Petrocs Opens Early Winter Services as Demand Hits Highest Level Ever

St Petrocs has launched its Winter Appeal after seeing the greatest demand for its support in a single month since the charity began. The Cornish homelessness charity is asking the community to help raise funds so people without a safe home can stay warm and supported through the coldest part of the year.

Winter Services Start Early as Cold Weather Looms

Winter brings dangerous conditions for anyone sleeping outside and St Petrocs says the risk is rising. This year the charity opened its Winter Services in November, earlier than usual, to meet growing need.

The service provides shelter, warm clothing, bedding and other essential support. In September, St Petrocs supported 176 people sleeping rough, the highest number ever recorded in one month by the charity.

Impact of Last Year’s Winter Support

Last winter, 538 people received support from St Petrocs’ Winter Services. This included essential supplies, emergency accommodation and access to wider help.

Of the 107 people who accessed emergency accommodation, 91 percent did not return to sleeping rough. Over the winter months, the charity provided more than 3,000 nights of emergency accommodation, supporting an average of 30 people each night.

Clive, who received help from St Petrocs last winter, said:
“I had missed the bus, so I sat in the bus station, but the wind was making me cold. So, I spent the night in a payphone, propping myself up all night. St Petrocs helped me out, they sorted me out with emergency accommodation – it was nice and cosy and the heaters were cranked up. I feel good now, because I’ve got my own flat. If it wasn’t for St Petrocs, I would have still been on the street.”

Charity Calls for Public Support

Despite pressures on funding and a growing demand for services, St Petrocs has committed to running its Winter Services again this year.

Chief Executive, Henry Meacock, said:
“The St Petrocs Winter Service is a lifeline to many who find themselves outside in the coldest and darkest months of the year. They provide an opportunity to get people inside in a safe environment quickly, removing the incredible risk of having to sleep outside, and serve as a platform to find lasting solutions to end their homelessness for good.

“Our Winter Appeal, which is kindly supported by so many, is vital to provide the funds we need to deliver these services. Donating to the appeal will make a direct and positive difference to people in Cornwall this winter.”

How to Help

St Petrocs is asking people to support in any way they can, including donations, gifted items such as sleeping bags and warm clothes, volunteering in their resource centres or fundraising over winter.

To donate or learn more about the charity’s Winter Services, visit the St Petrocs website