Windsor’s rough sleepers offered place to stay on double-decker bus

A homeless charity offering refuge to rough sleepers on a double-decker bus has been seen driving through Windsor ahead of Saturday’s Royal Wedding.

The Ark Project, which until recently was based solely in Reading, operates out of a bus which includes 10 beds and a kitchen to prepare warm food.

The charity said it was working the streets of Windsor in an effort to give the town’s homeless a place to stay.

Windsor’s rough sleepers were the subject of a controversial suggestion by local Conservative council leader, Simon Dudley, who said they should be removed for the royal wedding.

The remark, made in a written letter to Thames Valley Police, proved unpopular and created significant public backlash.

Michael Longsmith, 42, who volunteers at The Ark Project, said: “We have been working in Windsor about six months, but the bus has only just come because we have had to offload our Reading clients to come here.”

The charity, which aims to put the homeless they take on board into rehab, have so far picked up two rough sleepers from Windsor’s main streets.

Many do not want to accept the charity’s offer of help because they fear losing money during this weekend’s popular event, Mr Longsmith said.

Commenting on the homelessness situation in the Royal Borough, he said: “It’s stayed exactly the same. Nobody’s doing anything. They are still here.

“The police won’t move them on because they know the press will be all over it, but the excuse they are using is that footfall is going to crush them.

“Our bus has 10 beds upstairs, so there’s no reason for anyone to be sat out here. They can come on board, but a lot of them won’t because they need to make money.”

Wayne, who has been homeless on the streets of Windsor and Slough for 12 months, said no police had attempted to move him on in the build up to the wedding.

He said: “I might as well be invisible to be honest with you, not many people pay attention to you. I’ve had no help.

“If the police did try on move me on, I would obviously have to because I don’t want to get arrested.

“I don’t know if I’m allowed to stay here on Saturday or not. I haven’t been told anything to suggest I can’t.”

A Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead spokesman responded: “As part of our ongoing work, the council has been working with local charities, health partners and the police to ensure that those who are homeless know what support is available to them and how they can access it.

“In addition, during this extremely busy period, all those who are homeless and have a local connection have been offered safe places to stay. For those not wanting to take up the offer of somewhere to stay, an offer is being made to keep their possessions safe – whilst the town sees an unprecedented number of visitors.

“We hope individuals will take up the offer to so that we can help prevent them from losing possessions on a day when the town will be extremely busy.

“Anybody facing homelessness is encouraged to contact the council to discuss what options are open to them.”

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