A HOMELESSNESS charity is appealing for public support as growing numbers of people face sleeping rough, sofa surfing or living in unsuitable accommodation.

Salisbury-based ALABARÉ has launched its new Room with a View campaign, aimed at helping more people find a safe place to call home as demand for its services continues to rise.

The charity said the homelessness crisis is worsening, with government figures showing almost 4,800 people are sleeping rough on any given night, while nearly 210,000 people are experiencing hidden homelessness – staying in places such as cars, sheds, tents or on friends’ sofas.

One former rough sleeper, Tracy, described the fear and isolation she faced before finding support through ALABARÉ.

“Sleeping rough means literally wearing all your clothes, including your boots, because if you don’t, you’ll wake up and find even those are gone,” she said.

“Eventually, I went to the woods to hide away. It’s scary up there anyway, but it was less scary than being around other people, to be honest. I’d return to find my tent gone and everything with it. It was a nightmare.

“Eventually, I started speaking to the rough sleeper team, and I engaged with the right people, I suppose. And then, thank the Lord, I ended up here in ALABARÉ’s emergency accommodation.”

The charity said something as simple as having a room of their own can be life-changing for someone facing homelessness.

A monthly donation of £21 can help fund emergency accommodation and drop-in services in Salisbury and Chippenham, as well as essentials such as bedding, toiletries and furniture for people rebuilding their lives.

Principal lead for individual giving, legacies, and retail at ALABARÉ Nic Dunford said: “By supporting a Room with a View, you’ll be directly helping to break the cycle of homelessness. Having a space to call their own can be the difference between a person just about surviving and really thriving.

“We’re seeing an ever-increasing demand for ALABARÉ’s services, along with a rising level of complex needs, so the public’s support is as vital as ever to ensure we’re here to help.”

ALABARÉ supports more than 3,200 people each year and needs to raise £1.7 million annually to maintain its services.