Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visits Manvers Street

Last week, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visited our off-the-streets hostel for people sleeping rough. Wera met with the staff to discuss the importance of this vital service and plans for its future. 

Manvers Street provides 20 pods for rough sleepers and in the last year it has been at 115% capacity with all available space given over to sleeping areas including in the communal area, in order to meet demand.

Wera heard how our lease will end in August 2026, and how we are currently working with B&NES Council to find a suitable replacement to ensure continuity of this vital service and ensure there are no gaps in the provision.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented: 

“Local authorities are being sold short by this government, with their budgets woefully inadequate to deliver on all their obligations to their communities. I will continue to press the Secretary of State to ensure that B&NES and all councils are properly funded so that vital organisations like Julian House can continue to lift people out of homelessness and onto the safety and stability of their own roof over their heads. A basic human necessity that the rest of us take for granted."

“But factors like the cost of living crisis and family or relationship breakdown could push any one of us into this desperate position, and I sincerely hope that a local solution can be found so that Julian House can continue to look after those who have fallen into this vulnerable and distressing situation.”

The hostel is one of our essential services which offers safe, stable accommodation and a pathway to recovery for people sleeping rough across the South West – over 2,700 in the last year alone.

Wera has advocated for Julian House previously by mentioning in the Houses of Commons to ask the government for long-term funding for local councils - which could be passed down to charities like ours, delivering vital services to vulnerable people.

Thank you to Wera for advocating for the continuation of Manvers Street and taking her time to visit.