Homeless charities to collaborate thanks to funds

Three Shropshire charities that support homeless and vulnerable people are working together to offer more help thanks to new funding.

Shrewsbury Ark, alongside Telford-based organisations KiP and Stay, have secured National Lottery funding and have created a project called Partners for Change.

The money will enable the introduction of a dedicated wellbeing support worker as well as an alcohol and harm reduction support worker serving the whole county, and an enhanced day centre in Wellington offering support, food, showers and laundry facilities.

Partners for Change has funding for three years, and the delivery of services will start on 1 September.

Also included in the project will be county-wide intensive support workers who will also help people to stay in accommodation after being housed.

The charities will also work together to provide "joined-up, specialist support providing help and support with mental health, neurodiversity and alcohol and drug harm reduction".

"We know the needs and challenges of homelessness in our area, and a major one for all is keeping track of people when they leave our individual support services, and we've worked hard to come up with a strategy to address this, and one which is properly resourced," said Anton Goodwin, director at The Shrewsbury Ark.

Naomi Pay, from Stay, said the project would offer people a place to go, and intense support.

"We'll stay alongside people for as long as it takes, with shared case management so support doesn't stop just because someone moves area," she said.

"By helping people to connect and access additional services, we can support more people to move off the streets, rebuild stability and confidence, and become tenant-ready, and able to sustain a tenancy and move towards long-term independence."

Alan Olver from Kip added: "We are very excited at the prospect of the ongoing development of our day centre in Wellington, and this joined-up approach will enable more people in Shropshire to access the vital support they need to make positive changes in their lives."

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