A CHARITY which feeds homeless people in Swindon will not be restarting its service yet – despite a fall in the number of Covid-19 cases in the town.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, a trustee for The Filling Station, welcomed additional government funding worth £113,000 to support the town's homeless.

The charity has had to suspend its operations to both clients and volunteers because of the pandemic.

He said: “The rate of Covid infection in Swindon is now lower than the national figure but the charity is concerned that recommencing its service will contribute to an increase.”

Homeless people were accommodated by the council in hotel accommodation during the height of the pandemic.

Many have now found more permanent accommodation, Mr Macpherson said.

Mr Macpherson added: “It’s wonderful that some people have been found accommodation. The challenge now is for them to be supported in maintaining those tenancies.

“A home is a firm foundation, but that tenancy will be lost easily if support from, drug, alcohol, and mental health agencies is not in place to support those individuals.”

The Filing Station works closely with two other registered charities in the town, Threshold Housing Link and the Salvation Army Booth House.

“Homelessness is not solved by accommodation alone,” said Mr Macpherson.

“Many clients we see have complex needs build up over many years, and it is essential that their issues are addressed by more than the simple intervention of provision of accommodation or food.

“The support needs to ‘wrap around’ and be given for as long as the opportunity to speak with outreach workers from Threshold Housing with a view to ensuring they can access accommodation before the weekend.”

The Filling Station usually meets the homeless every Thursday evening. They receive food, bedding, and clothing as needed, as well as the opportunity to speak with outreach workers from Threshold House with a view to ensuring they can access accommodation before the weekend.