Service that helps save families from becoming homeless gets a boost
A service to help save families and teenage parents in Somerset from becoming homeless has been relaunched and expanded.
The Somerset Family Floating Support Service will offer help to those who may be struggling to pay the rent or are at risk of losing their homes.
The Service is funded by Somerset County Council and the new contract is now jointly run by the charity Developing Health and Independence (DHI), which helps socially excluded people, and by Alabaré Christian Care & Support, which supports homeless and vulnerable people.
The new scheme brings together separate projects that were operating in Somerset, funded through the Council’s Supporting People Programme, into one county-wide service supporting 200 families and teenage parents at any one time. This delivers a more collaborative service to more people and offers greater value for money.
Clients of the floating support service can get advice on finances and housing rights and help with accessing services such as education and childcare, moving to a new home or resolving problems with neighbours. They will also be encouraged to develop skills for independent living and support to help them to improve their emotional and physical health.
People who use the service can receive the support in their own homes or by telephone, and can be offered a rapid response system for those in immediate need. They can be helped for up to a maximum of nine months and are encouraged to contact the service directly.
The service which operates throughout the county is staffed by 11 full and part-time workers and is temporarily based in Bridgwater but will move to Taunton shortly. It can be contacted at freephone 0800 084 2335 and 07920 265 955, or by emailing info@somersetfamilies.org.uk
Penny Walster, DHI’s Development and Support Officer, said: “With economic pressures on families getting ever stronger, it’s important to have a scheme which helps them keep their accommodation and prevents the misery of homelessness. The relaunched scheme builds on the excellent work carried out before in Somerset and we and Alabaré look forward to continuing that with Somerset County Council’s support.”
Alabaré’s Senior Manager Rachel Wetton said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Somerset County Council and DHI to deliver this new initiative. The Somerset Families Support Service will be an invaluable resource for the local community that will help improve the lives of many marginalised families and teenage parents in the local area.”
Christine Lawrence, the County Council’s Cabinet member for community services, said: “We want to provide help to those who need it most. Providing support when it is needed to vulnerable families, and young parents in particular, helps them achieve a better quality of life as well as saving money benefitting everyone in the long term.”
Alabaré and DHI have been working together since 2005 as the lead organisers of Community 4, a consortium of four organisations that provides support to vulnerable people in Wiltshire.
For more information or to arrange an interview call Tony Trueman at DHI, on 07792 062 154
tonytrueman@dhibath.org.uk
Notes
1. Alabaré Christian Care and Support is a charity that works with homeless and vulnerable people. It has more than 40 projects across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Devon, Dorset, Bristol and North Somerset providing a range of services including drop-in centres, supported accommodation and advice and training. It works with the homeless, those at risk of becoming homeless, ex-offenders, ex-Service personnel, people with drug and alcohol issues, young people, vulnerable women, individuals with learning disabilities and people with mental health conditions. Its vision is a society where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling life. www.alabare.co.uk
Alabaré Christian Care Centres is now operating under the new trading name of Alabaré Christian Care & Support. This new name has been chosen by its board of Trustees to better reflect the work that it does in our projects and the services that it offers. A new logo has also been created to incorporate its new name. Its legal and Registered Charity name remains Alabaré Christian Care Centres (Registered Charity No 1006504).
2. DHI is a charity that supports people who are socially excluded for reasons such as homelessness, old age, emotional difficulties, learning disabilities, or alcohol or drug addiction. It is based in Bath and works in four counties in the west. It runs supported housing, counselling, abstinence programmes, information services, and harm reduction services such as outreach and day care. Its activities include a computer group, a book club, drama therapy, a women’s group, a gardening group, craft workshops, a music group, acupuncture, meditation, and a support group for families of addicts.
