KIND contributions from those who have given to one of Truro Safe Donations Points are being used by local organisations to directly help people on the city’s streets.

The Truro Safe Partnership, which consists of services from Cornwall Council along with Truro City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Truro BID, Truro Street Pastors and other local representatives, is coordinated by the Council’s Community Safety Officer.

The Truro Safe Partnership launched donation points last year making it easy for people to donate money to the charities supporting vulnerable individuals to move away from a life on the streets.

Along with the donation points, Truro Safe continues to distribute an information leaflet across the city for businesses, residents and visitors.

This explains how the partners are responding to the different issues of street drinking, anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping by providing on the ground assertive outreach support to help individuals make positive changes.

To remind people that the work of the partnership is ongoing, Truro Safe redistributed the leaflet across the city centre last week providing reassurance to businesses and residents on who to report concerns too.

The Truro Safe partners also agreed that the recent collections from the donation points will go to St Petroc’s and Addaction so they can buy some essential kit to give to those assessed as most in need.

There are currently eight donation boxes being hosted by businesses in the city including at NatWest, Warrens Bakery in High Cross, Superdry, Sole Place, Wetherspoons, CEX Truro, Tesco and Truro Methodist Church.

Extra donation boxes have been ordered so that other local businesses and venues can get involved.

The partnership is continuing to meet regularly to ensure that anyone who finds themselves on the streets is provided with the most appropriate accommodation and support that helps them to address their needs.

Dave Brown, St Petroc's communications manager, said: “St Petroc’s has long recognised that only through continued partnership working will we be able to effectively reduce numbers of people having to sleep rough.

"The Truro Safe Partnership is a great innovation, and the thoughtful donations have meant that we’ve been able to buy items to help meet individuals’ needs.”

In addition, St Petroc’s have just started their Cold Weather Provision Initiative until mid-February 2019 which offers emergency shelter for those sleeping rough in Cornwall during the coldest period of the winter months.

In Truro, St Petroc’s staff and volunteers provide cover and support through the night and pro-active outreach during the day.

Truro police inspector Rick Milburn said: "The work of the Truro Safe partnership continues to support those most vulnerable within our community. With the assistance and kind generosity of the public we are both raising awareness and funds, which go some way to making the lives of some that little bit easier."