A NETWORK of charitable organisations has been set up in Newport to help the city's homeless and vulnerable people access the services they need.

Tariq Khan, of the Feed Newport/Help the Homeless Newport group, said the network would also help members of the public who might not know how best to help those sleeping rough.

Through the CHAIN scheme (City Homelessness Advice Information Network), people can easily find points of contact for groups that provide food parcels, clothing, and mentoring; as well as support services for domestic abuse and alcohol/drug dependency.

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Posters carrying the information will be distributed to businesses in and around the city centre by Mr Khan.

"Obviously, there's a lot of rough-sleeping in doorways and a few people begging," he said. "When a member of the public walks past day-in-day-out, they're not really sure what to do.

"The issue is correct signposting. [People] need to know where to signpost people to, and what services they have."

Mr Khan said he would be asking businesses to keep a poster in their staff rooms or communal areas.

"We get a lot of people contacting us from shops – they're not sure if a person needs help or what to do."

The CHAIN posters recommend first reporting your concerns to Streetlink, either online (www.streetlink.org.uk) or by phone (0300 5000914), who will then notify the local authority.

The "inspiration and support" for the idea came from a successful trial of a similar scheme in Leicester, he said.

On the new CHAIN scheme in Newport, he said: "There are quite a lot of services around the city, and this will make it easier for everybody."