Mobile phone power packs being handed out to Edinburgh’s homeless

ROUGH sleepers in Edinburgh are being handed portable mobile phone battery chargers, to help ensure their phone is sufficiently powered up for what could be a lifesaving call to a support service.

The Edinburgh-based homelessness charity, Streetwork, has identified a relatively high level of mobile phone ownership among rough sleepers in the city, but no easy way of being able to charge them, when their battery power begins to run down.

So, it has commissioned powerpacks that can be handed out by its street team with the packs printed with vital contact telephone numbers, including its own, in case of emergency.

Spent powerpacks are collected by street team members, in return for fully-charged ones.

“For most of us, our phone is a crucial connection to our family, friends and the outside world”, said Hugh Hill, director of Streetwork. “If you’re on the street, it’s more important than that; your phone is a lifeline, security and, in some cases, it’s your only means of help.”

According to Streetwork statistics, the average life expectancy of a homelessness person is 47, while a rough sleeper is nine times more likely to commit suicide and 47 times more likely to be robbed.

Many people who are rough sleepers find it difficult to charge their phone in the way most people would when out shopping or visiting cafes or restaurants.

Hugh Hill added: “Our focus is always about getting people off the streets but, where that’s not possible, we want people to be safe – which is why we’re planning to issue portable phone chargers to people on the street.”

“Our street team are out everyday in Edinburgh and Leith connecting with people sleeping or begging on the streets.

“In one day, in June, we spoke to 89 people begging in the city. We know people are having a tough time and we’re helping people get the right support and treatment they need. Being able to keep in touch by phone is a huge benefit.

“There’s nothing good about being on the street. It’s bad for your mental and physical health, it’s unsafe and your chances of assault, theft and exploitation are huge.”