Network of hope

The invitation was to assist with the charity’s annual Big Sleep Out event, at Chichester Cathedral.

This is a key event to fundraise for the area’s homeless people. It is a time where people choose to build cardboard shelters and, in doing so, fundraise.

The night sees many people having the opportunity to sleep rough just like our homeless people do and I was honestly humbled by those who took part, from the very young to the elderly.

I had the chance to meet some of Stone Pillows’ current and past clients who were more than happy to tell me about their own circumstances. They told me that if it had not been for the support provided by Stone Pillow they would not know where they would be now.

It brought home to me that becoming homeless can happen to anyone – despite what some people may think.

From having it all to having nothing, everyone’s circumstances are different and we should not automatically label these people and think that they are all the same.

The unfortunate issue is that homelessness is on the rise in Arun and we must try to engage with these people before they go down the slippery slope of drug and alcohol dependency .

If they are already involved in this downward spiral of dependency, it could mean a longer recovery rehabilitation time is needed.

The worrying scenario is that at this moment we have a figure of 18 per cent, with 40 per cent of these being women under the age of 30, that was either homeless or living on our streets.

What I have seen since being involved with Stone Pillow is the amount of volunteers it has – somewhere in excess of 100 – and its support network which is there to help and nurture these homeless people back into our community, giving them a sense of well-being, belonging, self-esteem and the motivation to continue their life to the full.

I would like to thank the chief executive, her staff, and all the volunteers for this great evening.

Long may you continue to support our community in the way you do and I look forward to working with you in the very near future.

Cllr Ian Buckland

The Blatchen

Littlehampton