'The city's homeless feel even more forgotten over Christmas'

Steph Haines will spend Christmas morning checking in with those sleeping rough on the streets of Sheffield

While many wake up on Christmas morning surrounded by loved ones and ready to open presents, Sheffield charity workers will be starting their day by checking in on the city's rough sleepers.

Framework's street outreach team monitors the welfare of those on the streets each morning while helping them access housing and benefits.

The charity recorded a record number of rough sleepers this year in the city, with demand for its services never higher.

Manager Steph Haines, who is part of the team working from 06:00 GMT on Christmas Day, said: "Unfortunately homelessness is a problem all year round."

In August the charity found 71 people sleeping rough in and around Sheffield city centre - an increase of 78% on the previous year.

"For the average person Christmas can be joyous, but for our clients it is a reminder of what they don't have and the dire straits they are in," Ms Haines said.

"Begging is often seen as a negative thing, but for our clients it's also human contact.

"At Christmas, when shops are shut, our clients struggle because they don't see anyone and they feel even more forgotten."

Framework supports people who are homeless in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Sheffield

Despite the increase in demand, times are financially tight for the charity and staff have been fundraising throughout the year to plug a funding gap.

Framework, which supports homeless people or those at risk of becoming homeless in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Sheffield, said it was facing an extra bill of £1.1m a year in employer's national insurance contributions.

It said it also faced an extra £700,000 to cover living wage increases.

Andrew Redfern, the charity's chief executive, said: "The withdrawal at the stroke of a pen of £1.4bn from the charitable sector will cost a lot more than it saves as the impact on services will be dramatic.

"At Framework we have done the cost-saving measures - the only option now is to cut services if the organisation is to remain viable."

A HM Treasury spokesperson said: "Our tax regime for charities, including exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with tax reliefs worth just over £6bn for the tax year to April 2024.

"We have protected small charities and businesses by more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of all employers with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year."

Despite the financial pressures, Ms Haines said it would be a "privilege" to speak to rough sleepers on Christmas morning.

"I know some of them better than my friends, I see them day in day out.

"To be honest there's no other way I'd like to spend my Christmas."

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