11/01/2026
We had a lady regularly sleeping in a door way to a derilict building in Crewe, she had been offered housing support, and support from local charities, but her drug addiction always won. One night whilst on patrol, we saw her with frost and snow flakes on her eye lashes, she was shivering as the cold wind blew against her, she was sat curled up with her knees up against her body in an attempt to keep warm.
Even then she insisted that she didn't need help. She was known to us as a regular local shop lifter, as she used any cash that she ever had to buy her next fix, and then went shop lifting often to buy the things that she actually needed to survive.
We visited the local Mc Donald's and brought her a burger, chips and a hot drink and returned to her. We had never seem someone demolish a burger so quickly. She quite clearly was very hungry, and freezing cold. She broke down into tears after, and said that needed to change her life but didn't believe that she could. She said that this cold night was one of her lowest points, and that night she was scared being out on the street.
She was usually quite feisty and unphased, but this cold night had broken her and something had scared her that night.
We sat with her and made a referral, a couple of days later, she made the brave step to attend to a 'Change, Grow, Live' appointment in Crewe Town Centre. ( https://orlo.uk/g8SqE )
For a while she made positive changes, received regular meetings for support and even got temporary housing where she stayed for some months. Unfortunately, she got back involved with old friends after bumping into them in town, and the addiction spiral started again.
Her addiction got so bad, that she lost her place in her supported housing due to breaking the housing rules, and she was seen walking through the town with no shoes on, when we asked her why, she said that she had them taken off her for a drugs debt, (her feet were very swollen and bleeding, so we took her into town, and brought her some shoes from Wynsors in Crewe.) Week's later she received conditions not to be in the local area.
Her support journey will continue.
Her situation is probably like many of those people that we've all walked past, sitting in door ways to local shops or supermarkets. Situations like this can feel uncomfortable, but we want our community to feel empowered that if they want to offer support, then they have the right tools!
So what can we do to help?
Remember that a lot people 'rough sleeping' have been already offered support, and many of these local people actually have homes in our community (supported homes to help their addiction) but beg for extra cash to support their addiction of alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately addiction takes hold of many people's lives, which can lead to more poor choices (sometimes crime), such as shop lifting so that they can use any cash that they do have to fund their addiction.
However, someone may have been recently made homeless.
So what can you do that would help?
- Call 999 if the person is in immediate danger, needs medical assistance, is under 18 years old or is with someone who is under 18 years old. (It’s safe to place someone in the recovery position who is not responding to you but is breathing normally. Learn what to do - https://orlo.uk/UZkT5 - be mindful of potential needles or sharp objects in people's pockets.)
- Make an alert to 'Street Link', this can alert the right professionals to reach out with further support for that person. - (https://orlo.uk/Hms5p)
- Don't give out cash, this could buy someone with an addiction their next 'fix', depending on what they take, the outcome could be fatal.
- If you wish, offer food, hot drinks, coats or blankets. (You can also tell them about Paul's Pantry in Crewe, who provide food packages. https://orlo.uk/Jnppe )
- You can call 999 if they're behaviour is threatening or abusive, or 101 to report any other anti-social behaviour or concerns.
For Crewe, Cheshire Support - Depending on the day of the week, you can make them aware of local places that can support them and get them into a warm venue! (These venues off hot showers, food, drink, support and clothing. They may also support in housing.)
Monday 10am-12pm – Salvation Army, Prince Albert Street, Crewe, CW1 2DF
Tuesday - 10am-1pm - LATH (Looking after the Homeless) - 65 Delamere Street, Crewe, CW1 2JX - https://orlo.uk/EeemX
Wednesday 12pm-1pm – The Lighthouse Centre, Stewart Street, Crewe, CW2 8LX
Thursday 5:30pm – 6:30pm – The Lighthouse Centre, Stewart Street, CW2 8LX
Friday 10am – 12pm – Salvation Army, Prince Albert Street, Crewe, CW1 2DF
Saturday 4pm-5:30pm – Chance, Jubilee House, Asda Car Park, Crewe, CW1 2QA
We will meet many of the local people in these situations over and over again, as recovery is a process, and sometimes relapse is part of that process, but that's why them receiving the right support is vital.
Advice for someone that you know on cutting down on drugs - https://orlo.uk/cULsv
What to do if you / they relapse - https://orlo.uk/OwDjb
FRANK - https://orlo.uk/l4OY5 - For friendly and confidential advice - Call 0300 123 6600 or text 82111 and FRANK will text you back
Pressure to take drugs - https://orlo.uk/tShrH
Find a support centre - https://orlo.uk/jMfQj
Finally, not everyone who is homeless will have an addiction, we simply wanted to ensure that our community have the right tools to help someone should they want or need to. But please always think of your personal safety, and seek advice if in doubt.
Stay safe.
