A new outreach service funded by the Isle of Wight Council will offer specialist help and support to those who are sleeping rough or without a settled home.
Launching on 4 November, the weekly drop-in at The Salvation Army Hall, in Pyle Street, Newport, will enable people in housing crisis to speak face-to-face to those who can help.
This will include specialist homelessness services such as the Salvation Army and the council's Housing Options Team and Inclusion Navigators, who work with people who are rough sleeping or at risk at being homeless.
The sessions will provide a safe space in a warm and welcoming environment each Friday, between 10am and 2pm, for people to talk about the issues they are facing and seek guidance and further support if required.
This includes those who are:
- sleeping rough;
- temporarily staying at someone's house (sofa surfing);
- in emergency accommodation;
- without a settled home.
Rachel Lee, service manager, Salvation Army IOW homelessness services, said:
"Sleeping rough is a very harsh way of life; it is difficult, lonely and isolating — and very hard to get out of.
"A drop-in can help to link people to the services that can help them.
"Staff from the Island's specialist homelessness and housing advice services will be on hand each week to help people with basic housing and welfare enquiries."
The weekly drop-in can support with a variety of issues, including:
- support to identify suitable housing options;
- applying for welfare benefits and grants;
- getting services from specialist agencies, such as health and wellbeing;
- support to access debt and money advice;
- connecting with social, religious and cultural opportunities;
- support in managing mental health issues, or alcohol and drug issues;
- getting into work, training or education.
Cllr Ian Stephens, deputy leader and Cabinet member for housing provision and homelessness, added:
"It's unacceptable to many of us that people in the year 2022 find themselves in the position that they have no place to call home.
"It can be difficult for people to know where best to go to get support — this new drop-in service will connect people sleeping rough or without a settled home, to local services.
"Our vision for the future is that every Island resident has somewhere to call home, for homelessness to be prevented and — where it does occur — that it is rare, brief and not repeated.”
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