HOMELESS people are being helped to have a new start in life by volunteers at the charity Devizes Opendoors.

Five out of nine people, who were sleeping rough back in January, have now got a roof over their heads but the problem is not going away as new people are being identified as homeless.

John Saunders from the charity said: "Most of the five had been sleeping rough for several years and had little hope of things changing but, thanks to the combined efforts of several different agencies and the resolve of the rough sleepers themselves, they are now looking ahead to a brighter future, and a warmer winter.. The other four are still homeless and one or two more are known by Opendoors to have started rough sleeping in the meantime."

He said that four weekly sessions run in Devizes by Opendoors was doing all it could to provide a welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental environment.

He said: "Alongside the 1582 meals it has served in the last six months, it has helped to restore people’s self-belief, to get back in touch with relevant agencies and then to try again when arrangements break down.

"What makes volunteers at Devizes Opendoors really happy is to finally see someone move into a flat of their own or into a room in a supported housing scheme. The individual’s eyes are shining as they tell you about it. It isn’t exactly a happy ending but it is a new chapter in their lives; one that stands a good chance of being better that the last."

The charity is also trying to set up a night hostel in Devizes but it has proved harder than thought to find suitable premises. It had explored the idea of using the Estcourt Rooms in Estcourt Road but this met some local opposition and the plan was withdrawn.

Mr Saunders said: "Opendoors would like to be able to offer the possibility of overnight accommodation for the coldest part of the year, to those would might otherwise be sleeping rough here in Devizes.

"However, finding a venue to act as an emergency shelter is proving harder than first imagined. The place needs to be suitably equipped, scarcely used by others and acceptable to those living in the area."

Now the charity is considering the short term proposition of providing transport to shelters in other towns through the winter months.

Mr Saunders said: "Opendoors wants to work with local people and, through this, increase the general level of understanding of what Opendoors is and how it helps."

It will be holding a sleepout at St Mary's Church on December 1. To take part email devizesopendoors@gmail.com