Food and shelter for the homeless

COUNCIL chiefs are offering help to people left homeless this Christmas.

With temperatures falling, Oldham Council has been working to put additional measures in place for rough sleepers.

These include a warm place to sleep, hot meal or additional clothing.

Council chiefs said being out in the cold is often not by choice and spending a long period outside in cold weather can be extremely uncomfortable.

When temperatures significantly reduce, the likelihood of damage to health — even death — can increase dramatically.

The council will try to help people access night shelters, food, clothing or emergency accommodation from a range of different places throughout the area.

Cabinet member for community services and housing, Councillor John McCann, said: “We are not aware of a great number of people sleeping rough in Oldham but if you are homeless, or know someone who is, then we urge you to get in touch to see what support we can offer.”

Contact FCHO Housing Options Centre on 0161 770 4555 during office hours. The out-of-hours emergency contact number 07940 008 834.

For more information visit www.oldham.gov.uk/ housing-homeless-support.htm.