Get help if you or someone else is sleeping rough

Overview

Sleeping rough is also known as being street homeless.

Call 999 if you or someone else is sleeping rough and:

  • needs urgent medical help
  • is in immediate danger
  • under the age of 18

Check if you or someone else is a rough sleeper

Rough sleeping includes people:

  • sleeping or bedding down in the open air such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks or bus shelters because they have nowhere to live
  • staying in places that are not designed for living in, such as stairwells, sheds, car parks or cars

Rough sleepers do not include squatters or Travellers. Find out more about Redbridge's permanent caravan site for people in the Traveller and Gypsy community.

Contact StreetLink London if you want to tell someone about a rough sleeper. They connect rough sleepers who are over the age of 18 to local services.

Call 999 if you believe the rough sleeper is under the age of 18.

You will need to tell StreetLink:

  • where you saw the rough sleeper
  • the time of day you saw the rough sleeper
  • describe what they looked like 

Contact them by:

  • using the StreetLink London website - you will need to sign up first
  • using the mobile App - download the App on GooglePlay or from the Apple App Store
  • calling 0300 500 0914 if you do not have internet access - this will cost the same as a landline telephone call

Find out about support during severe weather

The Council will give emergency support to rough sleepers in severe weather, for example if it is very cold or hot.

Contact StreetLink London If you are worried about someone sleeping rough during severe weather.

You can get help through StreetLink London and the Welcome Project Day Centre in Ilford if you are both of the following:

  • sleeping rough in Redbridge
  • over the age of 18

Call 999 if you are under the age of 18.

Get connected to local services by StreetLink London

You will need to tell StreetLink:

  • about your situation
  • where they can find you

Contact them by:

Visit the Redbridge Welcome Project Day Centre

You can get free information and support from the Welcome Project Day Centre.

This includes access to food, showers, laundry facilities and clothing.

You will also have access to a clinic with nurses run by Healthy Living Healthy Lives.

Find out about the day centre’s address and opening hours

  • Address: The Welcome Centre, 2-6 St Marys Road, Ilford. IG1 1QX
  • Opening hours: Open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm. You can get booked appointments at other times.

 

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