This brilliant news means we can not only continue delivering our existing service but forge ahead with our plans for development.
Spread over five years this will ensure we are able to give the extra support that makes such a big difference to the lives of homeless and vulnerable people in our service.
With accommodation for only seven people in our core accommodation service and limited resources to support people when they move on to a home of their own in the last few years we have only been able to help 40% of those turning to us for help. This award from the Community Fund will ensure we can help more people in need.
Our development plans will see our core accommodation service move to new premises, increasing the numbers we can accommodate to eleven, and with improved office and training space we will be able to facilitate and deliver more day time training and activities to help people tackle those issues that contributed to their homelessness and help them gain the skills needed to successfully move to their own home.
The existing accommodation service will become a ‘move-on’ service for up to four individuals.
Past experience has shown that a move-on service is a great help in the transition from the high support available in the core accommodation service to fully independent living.
Providing shared accommodation but without on-site staff, people still have a named support worker and staff will visit the property regularly to ensure all is going well. The management of the tenancy is reviewed to ensure individuals are keeping the property clean and in good repair, and are continuing to maintain independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting. In short, that they continue to demonstrate the skills needed to successfully move on to the next stage and manage their own tenancy.
In addition, this award will allow us to provide short term support when a person moves in to their own home, giving them the best possible chance to successfully maintain that tenancy.
Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund our service can now grow and be better able to meet the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in West Northumberland.
