Notts based charity Framework have launched an urgent winter appeal for funds, closely following the premiere of homelessness documentary Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son, by Lorna Tucker, at Broadway Cinema. We heard more from Claire Eden, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Framework, and Sam Lanes, Manager of Street Outreach, about the challenges that the charity are facing and the help that they need to tackle them.
This world homelessness day, 10 October, Nottingham-based rough-sleeping-outreach charity Framework are facing a funding shortfall of £189,122, which means that many unsheltered people might not get the help that they need this winter. As a result, they've put out an urgent winter fundraising appeal.
“We need more resources, staff and specialist workers to address and meet the needs of the people we find sleeping rough," says Claire Eden, Framework's Head of Fundraising and Communications. "As recently as this summer, we found a family with young children sleeping on the streets. Our Winter Appeal SOS is a distress call for urgent help and assistance."
Back in August, the Framework Street Outreach Teams helped 161 rough sleepers in Nottingham City, 134 people in Nottinghamshire, and 128 in Sheffield. This was an average increase of 35 percent from 2023, compared to a 27 percent national increase.
Framework first asked for public support this winter at the premiere of documentary Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son, at Broadway Cinema, on Sunday 6 October. The film, directed by Lorna Tucker, explores the predominance of homelessness in the UK, while reflecting on the director's time rough sleeping as a teenager. The audience were welcomed by Claire Eden, who introduced Framework's new fundraising appeal.
“It is very important to Framework that we continue to meet the current need but also that we develop the services and respond to emerging and specific needs," adds Claire. "A growing number of women are homeless but ‘hidden’ from services because of their need to stay safe from the perils of visibly sleeping rough, like sexual and physical abuse and harassment.”
The Framework team in Nottingham city really put in the hard graft to tackle this recurring social problem; they're out 365 days a year, providing life saving support and advice for hundreds of people.
"The number of people we find sleeping rough each day on our early morning walks on the streets of Nottingham has been increasing for some time and continues to increase significantly," says Sam Lanes, manager of the street outreach team.
"We know the trauma and risk faced by people on the streets so it is vital that we can continue to be there to support them and avoid people putting themselves in the life-threatening position of sleeping not only on the streets but hidden away in car parks, cemeteries, quarries and building site," Sam says. "Rough sleeping is the tip of the homelessness iceberg - what happens when people run out of options."
Support Framework’s Winter Appeal by donating at www.frameworkha.org/SOS
If you find somebody sleeping rough, or find yourself on the street, you can contact Framework via their free 24-hour hotline number 0800 066 5356.
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