Supporting over 500 people to improve their futures
On 1 April 2018 more than 80 staff transferred, from four existing contracts, to ForViva to deliver the forfutures homeless support service in Cheshire West and Chester. The service, which will become more integrated over the coming weeks and months, is currently supporting more than 500 people aged 16 and over, who are at risk of losing their home, or those who are homeless. Forfutures provides advice and information to support people to find accommodation and opportunities to improve their futures.
The forfutures Outreach Team are working with local agencies and partners to identify people who are sleeping rough and engage with them on the most appropriate levels of support and accommodation – including access to short-term accommodation. Less than two weeks into the contract, forfutures helped people who would have been sleeping rough to access emergency accommodation on 203 occasions (correct at 11.04.18).
In light of the ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol’ (SWEP) being actioned over Easter, and to support the transition away from safe seats, the emergency provision at Richmond Court remained available. With the news of a planning application being approved forfutures will be providing 12 ‘direct access’ beds, these will be accessed as part of a phased approach and inline with the end of the use of safe seats at Richmond Court.
Our Advice and Information Hubs provide a base for the delivery of the homelessness prevention support and housing advice service available to those at risk of becoming homeless. In total, four Hubs will be open Monday to Friday between 10am – 4pm across west Cheshire.