Homeless services

Homeless services2024-10-24T14:13:38+01:00

Addressing the housing crisis

Foxton plays a crucial role in addressing the deepening housing crisis in the UK. With rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness, our centre is dedicated to providing multifaceted support to those in need. Our staff are extensively trained in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, risk management, health and safety, food hygiene, and motivational interviewing. Additionally, our management team has completed advanced training in management and leadership, ensuring effective and compassionate service delivery.

The growing need

The housing crisis in Preston has worsened significantly. In 2023, the official count of rough sleepers doubled to 23, and by July 2024, this number surged to 80 verified rough sleepers in the city. In response to this crisis, Foxton offers a variety of services designed to support the homeless community.

Homeless day centre

Our homeless day centre is a frontline service providing practical support five days a week. Here’s how we make a difference:

  • A dedicated team alongside a fantastic group of volunteers, supports our operations.
  • We offer essential services for rough sleepers including access to food, showers, clothing, and a warm, safe place for individuals to receive help.
  • GP’s and other health services are available three days a week through our partnership with Park View Surgery. We also offer addiction support from Inspire, mental health assessments from LSCFT, and podiatry services from Forgotten Feet.
  • In the year 2023-2024, we provided over 11,000 meals and operated for 504 sessions, serving 454 unique individuals with a total of over 11,000 attendances.

Off the street accommodation

Our off the street accommodation directly assists rough sleepers, providing them with a secure place to stay and support to transition to a more stable future:

  • We manage a 14-bed emergency unit in collaboration with Hilldale Housing Association, supported by a team of skilled staff.
  • The facility, which opened in July 2022, features 14 en-suite rooms with shared kitchen and laundry facilities.
  • Over the past year, we provided 5,110 nights of accommodation with a 98% occupancy rate. Residents received 1,765 support sessions and 196 meals each week.
  • Stays ranged from 2 days to 20 months, with a notable six individuals residing for over six months as of June 2024, underscoring the need for more transitional accommodation.

Supported housing

For longer-term solutions, we offer housing in shared properties throughout the city:

  • Our supported housing includes four two-bedroom houses provided by Calico and funded under a special rough sleepers scheme, as well as 28 places in shared houses sourced from private landlords.
  • A team of four full-time staff members provides regular support visits to residents.
  • In 2023-2024, we housed 63 individuals (16 female, 47 male), providing 12,120 bed nights with a 94.9% occupancy rate. Residents’ stays ranged from 4 weeks to 34 months. Notably, one property was purchased with funds raised by our supporters through the PNE Big Sleep Out.

Ongoing challenges

Despite our efforts, longer-term housing remains a significant challenge. The wait time for social housing in Preston is now 52 weeks for those with top priority, and private renting is increasingly difficult due to high prices, deposit requirements, and stringent credit checks. (Data July 2024).

Our access to health, mental health, and addiction services is crucial, given the average age at death for rough sleepers is just 43. We are committed to preventing these tragic and premature deaths.

We are here

At Foxton, we are dedicated to addressing homelessness and are open to collaborating with any partner to tackle this crisis.

For more information or to speak with a team member, please call us at 01772 555925 or email info@thefoxtoncentre.co.uk.

How we’ve helped.

As a mother I feel The Foxton Centre is a massive part of our community. It brings people together, helps and supports us all, especially our children.

Mother

Foxton Women’s Services is extremely important to me because of the other women, they do so much for us, we would be lost without them.

Kelly

The Foxton has never let me slip through the net. It has been there to drag me out of the darkness so many times.

Service user

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