Fears rough sleepers won't get help they need as crisis deepens
Salisbury charity says its seeing more people need help through drop-in services
A charity in Salisbury says it fears rising demand of rough sleepers could see people fall through the cracks and miss out on getting the help they need.
The latest Government snapshot for homelessness shows a 66% rise in Wiltshire in the last 12 months, with an 11% increase across the south west.
And in the first two months of 2026, Alabaré has supported 58 people through it's drop-in service at Alabaré Place in Salisbury and at Unity House in Chippenham.
Complex Needs Service Lead, Jamie Coltman, said: "The concerns are really that these individuals just fall through the cracks."
He added: "There might be some safeguarding issues that happen with these individuals if they do not receive the full information that we can provide.
"And with the support, we can obviously try and get them housed with another service provider or working with Wiltshire Council, they have systems in place that they can provide and hopefully these individuals won't be rough sleeping."
Jamie admits not everyone chooses to engage with their services, but insists they are working with partners to ensure those individuals are supported in the best way possible.
Restoring hearts and transforming lives
The charity provides supported accommodation for up to two years for people who've not used any Wiltshire Council support, as well as emergency provision, such as during extreme weather.
31% of the 58 people helped in the early weeks of 2026 have successfully been able move into full-time accommodation, and Jamie says the effect of that security is transformational.
"It's beneficial because we can help address any immediate concerns they have, any long-term targets and goals that they might want to achieve themselves," he said. "We signpost them and work closely with other agencies, whether that's addressing any mental health concerns, substance misuse concerns, debt arrears, family support or anyone going through the criminal justice procedure."
He told us seeing the transformation of someone "who's hit rock bottom" to a person with hope and goals is something he takes great pleasure in.
"It's seeing the small adaptations that they make, the small improvements," he said. "Yes, there's always going to be challenges, but through the rapport built with the staff, the other agencies, the person-centred approach that we take to the support we provide, again, it lifts people up, it gives them hope, opportunity and something to work towards in the future."