TIME FOR TRANSITION On 28th May, we launched a ‘transition’ service in Watford, thanks to three-year funding from the government’s Homelessness Transition Fund. This service aims to help people who are new to homelessness, as opposed to entrenched rough sleepers. It ties in with a national concept called ‘No Second Night Out’, whereby resources are focussed on targeting first-time homeless people and preventing them from the detrimental effects Photo credit - Simon Jacobs caused by homelessness, such as alcoholism, substance misuse and mental and physical health issues. With the funding we have received we have been able to achieve the following: (1) we now have six more beds available, which increases our total bed spaces to 56 across the Trust; (2) we have a new team of staff dedicated to working with those accessing this service; (3) we have launched Watford’s first 24/7 emergency advice line for those at risk of rough sleeping; (4) we have employed a new Housing and Strategy Director, Sara Crean-Muir. This enables us to focus on improving our accommodation services to homeless people throughout the Trust, whilst enabling us to work more closely with local authorities.
SOUP-ER TOM!
Watford has a new superhero! Help him to help us this Harvest.
SUMMER SLEEPOUT
Forty young people braved the wet weather to raise money for us.
‘Sleeping Bags’ - image by flickr user Snap Man, used here under a Creative Commons Licence
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OPERATION 23 first-time homeless people prevented from sleeping on the streets.
32 people benefited from the 24/7 advice line.
78% of the people we helped moved-on positively.
AWESOME TEAM WORK Hear the latest from our Street Outreach Team.