THE best thing you can do to help rough sleepers as the cold weather bites and snow is be aware of them and ask if they are OK, according to homeless charities.

With the temperatures plummeting across Wales, and snow forecast to hit some areas this afternoon, the South Wales Argus spoke to two homeless charities who cover Newport to get their advice on what people can do to help.

If you’re concerned about a enough sleeper’s wellbeing, the first step is to try and put them in touch with services that can help them, say Wales’ leading homeless charity the Wallich.

The quickest way to do that is via Streetlink, but you should call 999 if it’s an emergency situation.

Streetlink is available as an app, online or by phone on 0300 500 0914.

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You need to give just a few details about where and when you saw the person you are concerned about. The details you provide are then sent to the local authority or outreach service for the area in which you have seen the person, to help them find the individual and connect them to support.

In Newport, the Wallich’s rough sleepers intervention team delivers humanitarian aid, support and advice to people that are sleeping rough or are vulnerably housed in the city.

Experienced staff offer support by providing humanitarian aid like breakfast, hot drinks, sleeping bags, warm clothing, toiletries and throughout the day and evening.

The drop-in centre at Queens School House on School Lane (NP20 1TS) offers a safe environment off the street to facilitate our support work. Here, we offer access to a telephone and computer and help to complete forms, applications and referrals to our partners in relation to their current needs.

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The team currently operates Monday to Friday, between 7am and 10.30am. That breaks down into a breakfast run from 7am-9am, and a drop in service from 9.30am to 10.30am.

A spokesperson at The Wallich said: “The main message we want to get out to the public – along with our partner agencies across the city such as Newport City Council and Eden Gate – is that there are many services working together to support people experiencing homelessness, such as The Wallich’s rough sleepers intervention team which delivers hot food, advice and support to people sleeping rough.

“Cold Weather Provision is in operation across Newport during minus temperatures and churches open their doors for people to sleep at night, in addition to the hostel places available.

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“Above all it is important for everyone to be aware of who is sleeping rough out there, ask them if they are ok, check on them and look out for them as you would any other vulnerable member of the community, send an alert to StreetLink using the app and ensure you alert the authorities if you have any immediate concerns about someone’s wellbeing or safety.”

Another charity, Eden Gate, run a winter night shelter in Newport in partnership with local churches which provides 12 emergency bed spaces between November to April every year.

A spokesman for Eden Gate said: “In response to extreme weather conditions Eden Gate works closely with The Wallich, Solas Cymru and Newport City Council to ensure those on the streets are offered emergency accommodation. This is part of the cold weather plan.

“Last year during March the cold weather plan helped to accommodate a number of people which provided respite from the cold.

“We would encourage the general public to report anyone they encounter sleeping rough via street link on https://www.streetlink.org.uk.

“Outreach teams can then be despatched to offer assistance.”

Eden Gate’s premises on Hill Street are also open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings 10am-1pm where hot drinks are served and sleeping bags and blankets are provided to those who choose not to accept the offer of emergency accommodation.