'Help us turn the tide on homelessness in Harrogate' urges charity's chief executive
A respected Harrogate charity is inviting members of the public to get involved as it looks to add to its panel of professional trustees.
Since it was established in 1991, Harrogate Homeless Project has made a major impact in supporting people in the Harrogate area who are homeless, rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness.
Having started life as an eight-bed hostel on Bower Street, it now offers accommodation across the town for more than 40 local people with a history of rough sleeping.
The charity is now appealing for members of the public with relevant skills to get in touch.
The call comes amid alarming news that the number of homeless people dying has risen by nine per cent in the last year according to monitoring organisation, the Museum of Homelessness.
The Office of National Statistics found that the mean age of death for homeless men is around 45 years old and for women just 43 in a 2022 study and Homeless Link’s 2024 report into the homelessness sector showed that over three-quarters of day centre providers saw an increase in people experiencing homelessness for the first time.
Chief Executive Richard Cooper said: “We want someone to join our team of trustees to help us turn the tide on homelessness in Harrogate.
"We are looking for someone with an adult safeguarding background ideally who can bring their expertise alongside that of our professional staff team making sure that our client support continues to be of the very highest standard.
“The role is voluntary but the new trustee will be working with an impressive team of longstanding trustees ensuring that the charity is continually looking to grow the support we give to local people with a history of homelessness.
"We want to make sure that rough sleeping is prevented where possible and when it does occur is a once-only experience.”
Harrogate Homeless Project also runs a day centre which provides a hot meal, health support and activities to support people at risk of homelessness.
Anyone interested in applying should contact Richard at [email protected] for an informal conversation about the role.