Charity duo honoured for work with the homeless
A charity that supports the homeless has won a prestigious award for its work getting rough sleepers into emergency accommodation.
Paul Sansome and Emilia Watts, who work for the Stay charity, have received the High Sheriff of Shropshire's community award for their devotion and commitment to ending rough sleeping and homelessness in Telford and Wrekin.
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government ruled that all rough sleepers should be placed in emergency accommodation.
High Sheriff Dean Harris heard how Paul and Emilea provided a round-the-clock service helping rough sleepers and persuading them to accept emergency accommodation.
Since March last year, more than 400 people have been placed in hotel or bed-and-breakfast accommodation across the borough, many of whom had been long-term rough sleepers who struggled to maintain tenancies due to deep-rooted mental health and substance abuse problems, often related to past trauma.
The charity's Kay Bennett said that while these groups traditionally mistrusted support services, Paul and Emilea successfully broke down these barriers enabling people to get the help they needed.
"Paul and Emilea are called upon night and day to help rough sleepers access accommodation, and to work with those in emergency hotel and B & B accommodation who may be struggling to engage with the housing, mental health and drug and alcohol services available to find stability in their lives," she said.
Stay chief executive Terry Gee said he was delighted that Paul and Emilea had been honoured for their work.
"When I think of the devotion Paul and Emilea give to this service I literally burst with pride," he said.
Mr Gee said the pair worked all hours, taking 2am call-outs to help people in need, and making 6am starts to provide updates on what they had done the night before. They also deliver food, clothing and Covid tests, visited victims of domestic violence in hospital, and supported them during appearances in court.
Mr Gee said anyone in the Telford & Wrekin area who was homeless, knew someone who was homeless, or was at risk of losing their accommodation should contact the charity's outreach service on 07772 890017.
