**News release**
Thames Reach has launched a project which will help vulnerable rough sleepers from Central and Eastern Europe to return to their home countries.
The project will link these men and women up with the support services in their own country that can help them get back on their feet.
The aim is to ensure that they are properly linked into services that match their needs and that they get accommodation and assistance with any health problems such as alcohol abuse.
The London Reconnection Project will help those Central and Eastern Europeans in the UK who have expressed a wish to return to their home country, focusing on those who are unable to find work and have ended up vulnerable and on the streets – as they are not entitled to claim housing benefit to cover the cost of living in a hostel for the homeless.
Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach Chief Executive, said: “Whilst the majority of people who have entered the country to work since Eurpean Union enlargement in 2004 have thrived and contributed to the UK economy, a small number of people have struggled.
“Language difficulties and a lack of benefits has seen a small number living in abject poverty. At this time of year, as the cold weather bites, it has become a life and death matter. If we don’t get people the help they so need, we will see deaths on the streets of our capital.
“We will also continue to provide support to those rough sleepers who want to stay though the assistance we can offer is limited to health, housing and welfare advice rather than accommodation.”
The project is backed by £60,000 from the CLG government department.
Find out more about the London Reconnection Project
Ends
Notes to editor
1) Thames Reach is one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities. Its ultimate goal is to end street homelessness in the capital.
It runs the London Street Rescue project, helping rough sleepers off the streets, accommodation including hostels and supported housing projects, and innovative schemes which help formerly homeless people develop new skills, re-engage with family and friends, and get back into work. See www.thamesreach.org.uk
2) Homelessness charities have helped 20,000 people off the streets of the capital in the past ten years.
3) For further details contact Thames Reach communications manager Mike Nicholas on 0207 702 5646 or 07816 113420 out of office hours.
mike.nicholas@thamesreach.org.uk
