A GROUNDBREAKING winter homelessness scheme needs extra volunteers.

The project will see up to 18 rough sleepers given a bed, a place on training schemes and – at the end of the 12-week scheme – council accommodation.

The borough’s housing chief said that other local authorities were looking closely at the pilot scheme.

More than 30 volunteers have already signed up to staff the centre, which will open on January 3. However, more volunteers are needed.

Mike Ash, Swindon Borough Council’s head of housing services, said: “We’re doing well, but the more volunteers the better.

“Our volunteers are going to need some reasonably good people skills. They’re going to be welcoming the guests and working with them on structured activities, such as cooking or helping with benefit claims.”

He said that the project, which will work with some of the hardest to reach street homeless in Swindon, was not a traditional “shelter”.

“We won’t have a queue outside every night,” he said. “It’s more of a supported housing project.”

Up to 18 homeless people have been chosen by the council and other agencies for support.

Mike Ash said: “We’re going to stay with them every night for 12 weeks. We’ll work with them. At the end of the 12 weeks we will give them a housing offer.”

The project comes as homelessness in Swindon has risen by 78 per cent in five years – although it is estimated that there are up to 25 persistent rough sleepers in the town.

“The need has gone up in Swindon,” said Mike Ash.

The alternative approach would be piloted and, if successful in keeping people in council accommodation, could be repeated next winter.

Mr Ash said: “We’ve not done this before in Swindon. Lots of other people are looking at what we’re doing here.”

The scheme is a collaboration between the council and a range of charities, including Threshold Housing Link, Night Shelter, the Salvation Army, Swindon Foodbank, Christmas Care and the Big Breakfast.

South Swindon parish councillors lent their support to the scheme.

At a meeting on Tuesday evening, Coun Stan Pajak said: “This is a really good idea.”

To find out more about volunteering with the scheme, email: rholley@swindon.gov.uk.