A local charity based in Kingston has issued a callout to residents for sleeping bags and mattresses as they continue to fight homelessness within the borough.

Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) works to support people out of homelessness and helping those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

To achieve this the award-winning charity offers an in-person, drop-in advice service which is open on weekdays from 10am – 1pm.

The Bridge, is a new pilot that has been developed by KCAH designed to help people who the organisation works with, who use substances and have been sleeping rough, or are at risk of sleeping rough.

KCAH also offers supported housing for people who have recently experienced homelessness or are finding it difficult to access private rented accommodation. The charity's Resident Support Team (RST) currently support 46 people in 12 shared houses and flats, managed by KCAH.

To support their ongoing mission through their varied services, the charity has issued an urgent sleeping bag and mattress appeal.

Specifically, they are looking for brand new single mattresses and new or as-new sleeping bags that are in great condition (clean, zips in full working order, no rips and with stuff snack).

Those who are able to donate are encouraged to contact KCAH at [email protected].

Sleeping bags can also be dropped off at the charity's office Monday – Fridays from 1pm – 4pm which is based on London Road, KT2 6QL.

From April 2020 to March 2021 KCAH helped 167 rough sleepers move into hotels through their Housing Crisis Intervention Team and registered 15 successful move-ons through their Access Team.

To discover more on KCAH and ways you can offer support, visit their website here.