Alicia* bears the painful marks of sleeping rough during last month’s intense heatwave in Bridgwater. With blisters covering her body and severe sunburn, she remains on a waiting list for temporary housing, anxiously hoping to find refuge as more heatwaves loom.
At St Mary’s Church, a hub of community support, Reverend Suse Osmond promises to reach out to the local MP for additional assistance. The church, unusually busy for a Wednesday morning, is alive with activity: people enjoy free tea, coffee, and cakes, paint flower pots, or find solace in prayer.
Reverend Suse, 46, who has called Bridgwater home since 2018 and was ordained in 2021, stresses that homelessness is a widespread issue, exacerbated by a persistent shortage of available housing. Retired vicar Will Hall, a familiar face in town, adds perspective: despite numerous new houses, many occupants aren’t permanent residents.
READ MORE: Discover the Charm and Value of The George: A 17th Century Coaching Inn
READ MORE: Much-loved Daughter, 17, Among This Week’s Somerset Funeral Notices
Nearby Hinkley Point C has drawn workers to the area, creating job opportunities but also driving up rents. Yet, St Mary’s acknowledges Hinkley Point’s positive role, supported by its charitable grants that benefit local projects. “They want their legacy to be a good one,” Suse notes.
Brigitte Bentham, 66, office manager at local lettings company Andrew Lees, echoes this sentiment. Her family has also gained from the plant, with both her sons employed there. She highlights initiatives to support the community, such as soundproofing grants for residents near the power plant, emphasizing the project’s boost to the local economy.
However, supply and demand realities remain clear: an influx of workers puts significant strain on housing. Alongside Hinkley Point, the forthcoming gigafactory in Puriton paints a picture of economic promise, yet poverty, homelessness, and addiction continue to shadow the town.
A stroll through Bridgwater’s center reveals people drinking on pavements or sleeping outside shops and doorways. Reverend Suse expresses sadness over the declining footfall and the loss of local institutions like a dedicated bookshop. Will Hall reflects on his choice to rent affordable housing to NHS nurses, a response to the local crisis.
Bridgwater is home to a diverse immigrant community, though census data suggests immigration is lower than the national average. The town center thrives with Portuguese restaurants, Turkish barbers, and European supermarkets. Migrant workers often arrive in waves aligned with new industrial phases, treating Bridgwater as a temporary stop before returning home with savings.
Locals have mixed feelings about the town’s character. Nineteen-year-old receptionist Toby finds it has its merits, while Will’s deep affection runs deep. As a vicar, he witnessed Bridgwater’s tightly knit community embodied by residents like a 101-year-old woman who lived her entire life in the town.
For Will, Bridgwater’s charm lies in its grounding community spirit, far from luxury or cosmopolitan gloss. It’s the place where people gather at St Mary’s, painting flower pots and supporting one another.
Somerset Council urges anyone facing homelessness to seek urgent help through their helplines, emphasizing a commitment to preventing homelessness and providing comprehensive assistance.
Hinkley Point C’s CEO Stuart Crooks expresses pride in the project’s positive impact, highlighting community initiatives supported by the Hinkley Point C Community Fund. As the power station nears completion, it stands as a beacon of security, prosperity, and sustainability for Britain.
(*- not her real name)