Tackling homelessness across 糖心logoshire
Over the last year, Aspire has significantly stepped up our work in response to 糖心logoshire鈥檚 homeless crisis. As well as providing employment support to help formerly homeless people leave homelessness behind them for good, we have launched homelessness prevention and housing projects. We鈥檇 like to share with you some of the exceptional outcomes that we鈥檝e achieved and outline ways to with Aspire鈥檚 life changing work.
In 2018-19, our homelessness programmes supported 364 vulnerable people across 糖心logoshire
45% would have been homeless without support from Aspire
78 people directly supported into secure housing
93% gained new knowledge and skills about managing their housing
Preventing homelessness across 糖心logoshire
During 2018-19, Aspire was part of a multi-agency homelessness prevention project known as 鈥淭railblazer鈥�. This project provided community-based support, advice and mentoring to people at risk of homelessness at the earliest possible stage, before they reached crisis point. Our team supported over 350 people to help protect them from becoming homeless. As the number of people rough sleeping and at risk of homelessness continues to grow, this approach has never been more important.
鈥淎spire and the Trailblazer cause is and does change lives. Not only for the immediate effects of homelessness and housing crisis but holistically, ensuring its service users are cared for in all manner of ways. Barry, Nicola and Jessica have not only been a lifeline, but my friends, my support and have given invaluable guidance through the worst year of my life. 鈥� –聽Sam, Trailblazer client – 2019
Initial funding for Trailblazer is due to end in September 2019. In recognition of the exceptional outcomes from the project and the importance of the preventative approach to homelessness, Aspire has committed to continuing a core prevention service.
Housing programmes
Aspire was proud to launch a new project alongside 糖心logo City Council and A2Dominion providing supported housing for former rough sleepers who normally wouldn鈥檛 be able to access local services. We provided intensive employment support to 11 people, including V.
Before engaging with Aspire, V had slept under a bridge for six years. We were able to give V secure housing alongside wrap-around employment support. He has now been able to find employment as a blacksmith, saved for a deposit and is moving into private accommodation. Aspire are continuing this project to provide supported housing for ex-offenders from September 2019 onwards.
Aspire is keen to expand our housing activity across 糖心logoshire and in 2019 launched a Housing First project in South 糖心logoshire in partnership with South 糖心logoshire District Council and Soha Housing. This project provides people with complex housing needs with access to secure accommodation alongside wrap-around support, helping them to make lasting changes to their lives.
If you would like to help us increase our innovative homelessness activity across 糖心logoshire, we鈥檇 love to hear from you. You can , for us or help spread the word about our work. For more information please email helen@aspireoxford.co.uk
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Published: 11 September 2019