APCOA is proud to have worked with StreetLink during 2020 to support their essential work. StreetLink, the national referral service managed by St Mungo’s in partnership with Homeless Link, is the main service the public can use to connect people rough sleeping to local support. By using StreetLink, members of the public can alert local authorities and homelessness outreach teams to people sleeping rough in their area, so that they can be located and connected with the local services available to help them off the streets.
APCOA has more than 1,000 colleagues who patrol streets and car parks across the UK as part of their jobs, whether it be in parking enforcement or supporting local authorities in other ways. In London, if they come across someone sleeping rough, they use a mobile app to provide a direct alert to StreetLink, who can then connect those people with vital local services as swiftly as possible. During the COVID-19 lockdown, this interaction has also enabled local authorities and street outreach services to help people to access emergency accommodation.
Kim Challis, APCOA’s Regional Managing Director UK & Ireland said: “Our team is really pleased to assist StreetLink to provide support to those in most need, especially those who are identified as facing homelessness for the first time and are in vital need of support. It’s also one of the practical ways we demonstrate our commitment to social value and sustainability.”
The programme is managed by APCOA’s Local Government Services division, whose Director, Tracey Munford, launched the partnership with StreetLink in London. They are now in the process of extending this service with as many as possible of the 27 local authority partners APCOA work closely with across the UK.
In 2020, StreetLink put 13,000 people in touch with support to help them end their rough sleeping. Its work has never been so important, with the on-going pandemic causing an added level of anxiety and disruption for this vulnerable group of society, and APCOA will continue to provide active assistance.
