Read: How Network Rail is helping to provide a route out of homelessness

To mark World Homeless Day in October 2020, Network Rail signed the Rough Sleeping on Rail Charter alongside the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Grant Shapps, and British Transport Police, setting out a pan-industry safeguarding approach to help provide a route out of homelessness for every rough sleeper on Britain’s railways. 

At the same time, Network Rail launched pilot outreach services at Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street stations with their Routes out of Homelessness charity partner, Shelter. 

Each team consists of a Stakeholder Manager, two Engagement Workers, and a Training and Volunteering Co-Ordinator who supports Peer Mentors volunteering their time, some of whom have lived experience of homelessness. The outreach teams support people at the stations who may be rough sleeping – either by meeting them when walking around the stations or through referrals made by station staff and colleagues from Northern Rail and British Transport Police. In Birmingham, some people approach the Shelter-staffed help kiosk on the concourse to seek support themselves. 

When people in possible need are identified, Shelter offer direct tailored help to find accommodation and with processes needed to establish a more settled life, such as obtaining personal identification, registering with a doctor, and accessing mental health support. 

So far, 168 people who were sleeping rough in or around the two stations have been helped. Crucially, 65​​ people are now in temporary accommodation, and a further ten have gained permanent accommodation. In addition, 83 people have been able to access assistance for addiction or mental health treatment and one person has been offered part-time employment with Shelter.

Many of those helped have been living on the streets for some time, so the intervention by colleagues marks the first step in securing life-changing support. 

​One of the people supported was Jack* who was referred by Network Rail colleagues in December. He'd lost his tenancy after being furloughed at the start of the pandemic and had been sleeping rough for nine months.  

Shelter worked with its partners to find Jack somewhere to stay longer term and he's now settled in temporary accommodation.​ Jack said: "I had no idea what my rights or options were, but Network Rail and Shelter have been amazing in helping me get to this turning point in my life. Without this I would still be on the streets, and because of their help I'm now back at work again. For the first time in months I feel safe and positive about my future."

In addition, the training given to station colleagues has given them confidence in how to sensitively approach people sleeping rough. This includes learning about the complex and traumatising factors which can lead to someone losing their home. ​ 

The pilot project is helping people sleeping rough, and rail staff are contributing to addressing homelessness in the cities of Manchester and Birmingham. As pandemic restrictions ease and passenger numbers increase, this work will continue to have a positive impact on everyone’s station experience.

*Jack’s name has been changed to protect confidentiality.