A DESPERATE homeless man is being looked after by Westcliff residents after one of them spotted him drinking water from Prittle Brook.

The man, who has mental health issues, pitched a tent by the brook, near Southbourne Grove, several weeks ago.

People in nearby homes were so worried to see him drinking water from the brook they started taking him food and fresh water.

One resident, Tony Smith, said: “Everyone is very concerned about this man’s state of mind. I’ve called the Taylor Centre mental health unit, but nothing is being done.

“We take him food and water. I saw a young girl of about 13 talking to him and was a bit concerned, so I spoke to her and she said he was her father.

“She confirmed he had mental health problems and had never lived with her and her mother, but she was very upset her dad was living like that and that no one was doing anything.

“The girl’s mother brings him food, as well.

“We are supposed to have care in the community. He shouldn’t be sleeping rough like that.

“A lady bought him a pop-up tent because he had been sleeping on the ground. A lot of people are very concerned about him and what’s going to happen to him.”

Another resident who asked not to be named said: “It’s awful to see this poor man living like this when clearly, he needs help.

“If you have an illness you get treated by a doctor, but it seems if you have a mental illness you have to fend for yourself.”

The news of the man’s situation came as campaigners planned to pitch 100 tents on Southend beaches next month in protest at the lack of official; help for rough-sleepers.

The Warrior Square Soup Kitchen, which feeds local homeless people three times a week is backing the protest.

John Barber, chairman of the Southend Homeless Action Network, said: “Mental health services don’t exist for roughsleepers, in the main.

“There are so many examples of that. I would say probably a third of rough-sleepers havemental health problems, but we lack mental health support in Southend. I’m not surprised to hear this man is not getting any help.”

A spokesman for South Essex Partnership Trust, which is responsible for mental health care in the area, including at the Taylor Centre, said: “We have no record of anyone contacting us regarding this person.

“To get involved, we have to assess him to see if he does have mental health problems to do this.

“In order to do this he would need to be referred by his GP.”

David Norman, Labour Southend councillor responsible for housing, said help was being arranged for the man.

Mr Norman, pictured left, explained: “The charity St Mungo’s Broadway engages with all known rough sleepers alongside agencies, such as Harp and Family Mosaic, to link them with relevant services and help them into accommodation.

“Staff undertake regular patrols and also act on information shared via the Streetlink website, streetlink.org.uk “We would encourage residents who have any concerns about roughsleepers to contact the Streetlink website with details about where they have seen the person.

“That way, rough-sleepers can be connected to the local support networks to help their needs.

“I understand a Streetlink referral for this particular case has been received, which will be acted upon by St Mungos.”

Little support for mental health patients who drink

 AN anti-homelesness campaigner has called for the return of a specialist worker in Southend to help people with mental illness and addiction problems.

Del Thomas, of the group Street Spirit, said it would make “a big difference”

to the homeless problem if the borough once again had a “dual diagnosis” professional.

He said: “We had one a few years ago but it got cut, so now, if someone approaches mental health services in Southend with a mental health problem, but they also have an addiction, the mental health services won’t touch them until they’ve got rid of it.

“One thing I would really like to see is either the council either contracting some of the Essex County Council workers’ hours, or paying for their own.”

A South Essex Partnership Trust spokesman said it used to have a specialist worker, but the post was axed “in line with the national guidance on dual diagnosis”.

He added: “Since then, all people with dual diagnosis are supported by the local community mental health team, with appropriate input and support from specialist drug and alcohol services.”