More rough sleeper beds available in York

More people sleeping rough in York can now safely bed down this winter as extra emergency beds are being offered whatever the weather until 28 February.

Earlier this year, senior councillors agreed that York should go above and beyond the national ‘severe weather scheme’. The 11 additional beds created bring the total emergency provision up to 29 beds. They are available in the winter months regardless of whether it’s freezing or not.

Besides these extra beds, the £193,000 extra funding secured for 2018/19 is also funding extra outreach workers to help rough sleepers address complex issues, especially around mental health.

Anyone found sleeping rough is encouraged to go to The Salvation Army’s new early intervention and prevention hub at 63 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3BU between 10am and 12 noon.

There, they will be allocated one of the city’s 29 emergency beds in keeping with the city’s No Second Night Out scheme. This means that no-one should have to sleep outside.

Five of the new emergency beds have been created at a council hostel and are being supported by volunteers from the YES Below Zero scheme. Rough sleepers’ dogs can also be brought into emergency accommodation – this has been the case since 2000.

People coming off the streets are placed in the city’s 101-bed supported lodgings. There, they are offered support and education to help address any of the issues that may have contributed to them becoming homeless. This includes referral to services for mental health or substance misuse and to train them for work and how to manage a tenancy.

Once that stage is successfully underway, they are allocated space in the city’s 90 independent accommodation units before, hopefully, supporting them into either private or affordable fully-independent homes.

Last year, we resettled 70 previously rough sleepers or single homeless people into permanent tenancies, and had 49 York households in our temporary accommodation – the lowest number since 2004.

What’s in in York – Deadly Fictions: Writing Horror and the Macabre with Naomi Booth Sponsored by York Literature Festival

Nov _9Deadly

York Explore Library :

Thu 8 Nov :

5.30pm -7.00pm :

£5

A masterclass for writers who want to produce unsettling works of fiction. We’ll experiment with different approaches to the macabre, from Edgar Allan Poe’s formula for horror to contemporary versions of the uncanny. This will be a chance to experiment with new approaches, in order to inspire new pieces of writing or to help you develop work in progress. The class is suitable for new writers and those who are more experienced. You can expect a discussion of key writers and approaches, as well as some time to write and share work. We may discuss some gruesome topics—you have been warned!

Author’s Biography:
Dr Naomi Booth is an award-winning writer and academic who lives and works in York. Her first work of fiction, The Lost Art of Sinking, was selected for New Writing North’s Read Regional campaign and won the Saboteur Award for Best Novella 2016. Her debut novel, Sealed (Dead Ink Books, 2017) is a horrifying tale of body mutation and environmental contamination, described by The Guardian as “not for the faint-hearted… a marvellous first novel”. Her uncanny short fiction, “Cluster” was long-listed for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award 2018. Naomi is Subject Director of Creative Writing at York St John University.

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: Masterclass – The Glory of Gilding A Beginners Guide

Nov _8Guilding

Fairfax House :

Thu 8 Nov :

5.30pm – 9.00pm :

£50.00 (Members: £45.00)

Rob Oldfield, master gilder, explores the art of gilding and the magic of gold leaf by candlelight in the eighteenth-century house. This practical masterclass will introduce you to the different uses and traditional techniques of laying gold leaf. Under Rob’s tuition you will develop the skills to be confident in undertaking your own projects and bring the magic of gilding into your own home. By the conclusion participants will have their own gilded decorative Christmas ornament to take home. All materials for this workshop are included as well as a hearty soup & sandwich supper, wine and refreshments.

This event is not suitable for children.

For further information please visit our website.