Ashton landlady's appeal to safeguard homeless

An Ashton-based community stalwart is appealing for the public not to post photos of anyone ‘sleeping rough’ in Tameside to social media.

Pauline Town runs the Station Pub in Ashton and is well known for having turned it into a welfare hub for the homeless where her ‘We Shall Overcome’ organisation is head-quartered.

The homeless shelter in Ashton - The Town House - is named after her and she was awarded an MBE in 2021 for her widespread work on behalf of the homeless.

She explained the problem social media posts could cause.

“The harsh reality is that anyone sleeping in a tent or rough sleeping anywhere is extremely vulnerable and this is a massive safeguarding issue,” said Pauline.

“Unfortunately, the posts have included very specific information about the sleep sites these guys are using - complete with photos.”

She added that the photos are ‘obviously well intentioned’ but that not everyone on social media shares the same ‘compassion’ for homeless people.

Pauline added: “We don't want to accidentally put them at very real risk. We’ve had tents targeted and set on fire, people attacked and injured, their belongings stolen or ruined.

“They don’t have a door to lock when the night comes. Please, please understand that some people seeing their location on social media so publicly may not have the good intentions of those posting.

“I’ve seen the burns myself that one gent we were supporting suffered when kids set his sleeping bag on fire with him in it and stood laughing and filming him trying to get out of it.

“Another woman was assaulted by three youths and suffered a serious head injury when the location of the tent she and her partner were in was accidentally posted - she arrived at my door hysterical and covered in blood.”

For anyone with concerns regarding the welfare of those sleeping rough in Tameside, you can email the information and photos directly to roughsleepers@tameside.gov.uk so that the RSI (Rough Sleepers Initiative) key workers can get out to the individuals to offer advice and support.

Anyone who has a legal connection to Tameside can access shelter at the Town House under the ABEN scheme which is unique to Greater Manchester.

Pauline continued: “Some people may choose not to do so because they have personal reasons for refusing that help and that is absolutely their right to have that choice.

“But, even if they do, the RSI team will work with them and try to help them to find a way back from homelessness that fits their specific personal needs.

“If someone does not have that connection to the borough, unfortunately they cannot access the night shelter long term.

“However, they will have been offered help to get back to wherever they do have the connection to ask for housing support - that’s not the choice of anyone who works with the homeless, that’s what the legislation surrounding connections states. In the meantime, please help us to keep them as safe as we can.”