Two women have described the grim reality of welcoming the New Year while sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures in the West Midlands.
A Night of Desperation in the Cold
Nicola Bond and Laura Dickson were left exposed to the elements on New Year's Eve after failing to secure a spot in a women's shelter. With temperatures well below freezing, the pair were forced to take refuge in a shop doorway.
"I was freezing cold," Nicola recalled. "I don't know how cold it was but it felt like it was below freezing." She described the previous night as even worse, having been unable to access food, a shower, or a bed because she arrived slightly late at the shelter.
She expressed deep frustration with the support system, stating: "These people are meant to be a charity, they're meant to be caring. But instead you get turfed out all night in the cold. It's like a corporal punishment."
A Downward Spiral Triggered by Grief and Eviction
Nicola's troubles intensified following the death of her brother from substance abuse in 2021. His relapse and subsequent passing left her devastated. "After he died, I sort of gave up a bit. My head went," she revealed.
This personal tragedy compounded existing housing instability. Nicola was evicted from her private rental home in Staffordshire in January 2025 after living there for nine-and-a-half years. Her landlord, an older woman, decided to sell the property.
As a Universal Credit claimant, Nicola found herself priced out of the rental market. "I was paying around £300 per month before, but now the market is crazy. They want £600 or £700 per month for most houses or flats," she explained. Unable to afford alternative accommodation, she has been homeless for almost a year, moving in and out of hostels.
The Daily Grind of Life on the Streets
Nicola now carries her life in bags, including a sleeping bag, tent, and coat, a constant physical burden. Her immediate hope is to secure a place in supported living accommodation to begin rebuilding her life.
"Sleeping rough is hard," she said. "I just want somewhere where I can put my head down and somewhere to put my stuff." Her story highlights the acute pressures of the housing crisis and the fragile safety net for those facing homelessness, particularly during the UK's coldest months.
