A Bolton homelessness organisation has been working with the council to help vulnerable people as temperatures drop below freezing point.

Homeless Aid UK is continuing to support the homeless as well as people experiencing financial difficulties amid the icy cold weather.

Co-founder of Homeless Aid UK, Billa Ahmed, said the council triggered its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) due to the freezing temperatures with the council opening up warm spaces, sit up services and shelters to support rough sleepers.

Billa said: “Here at Homeless Aid we are continuing to do our soup kitchen and we are working alongside the housing options team and other agencies.

“Right now SWEP has been triggered, so what the council has done has opened up a lot of warm spaces, sit up services and shelters where people can go in.

“On January 16, working with the council we also managed to get a couple of people off the streets and one person back to the hospital, those people that come to us or are inquiring, we are asking them to actually call or go and present at Bolton housing options team and they will be able to do an assessment and get them the right help.

“Our teams are also being told to keep sleeping bags, our tents, and our phone lines open until quite late.

“During the day people can present at the housing options team and at night and at the weekend there is an out of hours number that people should call if they find anybody that is genuinely homeless.

"People can also attend our soup kitchens which are on five days a week and we can be called seven days a week if they need advice or support.

The Bolton News: People queueing to access the soup kitchenPeople queueing to access the soup kitchen (Image: Billa Ahmed)“With the weather being the way it is, we are providing thick sleeping bags to those that are genuinely homeless and we are also providing clothing like thermals such as gloves and hats and other clothing that will save their lives.

“The weather is not good at the moment, but the council is doing what they can, and we are doing what we can working alongside them and other agencies to get people off the streets.”

Billa added: “The soup kitchens are also not just for the homeless, if anyone is financially struggling with the cost of utilities, we have our soup kitchens every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 8pm, and Sundays from 6pm to 7pm in Le Mans Crescent.

“All families are welcome to come down to get food and families can also access food at our food banks as well.”

For those who need support, they can call the council housing options team on 01204 335900 during the day and 01204 337777 for out of hours or on the weekend.

Homeless Aid UK can be called on 0800 169 6565.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.