10 years supporting families
01 May 2008
This month Shelter's Homeless to Home project in Bristol celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since its launch in February 1998, the project has helped thousands of people settle into permanent homes.
The project helps homeless families through a wide range of practical and emotional support services including:
- advice on housing and benefits options
- support accessing health and education services
- practical assistance with moving, decorating and gardening
- debt management and budgeting skills
- help finding school places and uniforms for children
- specialist support for refugees, including the use of interpreters
Since 1998, Shelter has set up several other Homeless to Home services around the country, including projects in Sheffield, Birmingham and Nottingham.
Through these, thousands of uprooted families have been given the support they need to find their feet in a new community and really make a fresh start.
Overcoming the trauma of homelessness
The Homeless to Home approach developed from Shelter's practical experience of working with homeless families.
Those coming to us for help have often become homeless in difficult or traumatic circumstances, for example, following relationship breakdown or domestic violence.
Their complex needs are frequently not addressed by the agencies charged with supporting them and, as a result families are unable to cope.
Through the concentrated help Homeless to Home can offer them, they are able to build a stable future.
Bristol Homeless to Home is looking for volunteers
To celebrate 10 years of providing support to homeless families, Bristol Homeless to Home service is starting a new, local volunteer scheme called Hands Helping Homes.
Hands Helping Homes is appealing for volunteers to help with:
- organising events and activities for homeless children
- helping homeless families with DIY and gardening
- running workshops for young people in skills such as dancing, drama, photography and art
Sue Kelly, Bristol Homeless to Home service manager, explained: 'If you have some spare time to give or a skill that you would like to share with others, then we really want to hear from you. This is your chance to make a real difference to the lives of people in Bristol affected by homelessness.'
