Advice and Support
Providence Row provides a range of services that make a big difference to those who are homeless or sleeping rough.
Advice and Support
Providence Row provides a range of services that make a big difference to those who are homeless or sleeping rough. The first stepping stone on the path out of homelessness for our clients is to have their needs assessed.
We also work in partneship with other services like Medecins du Monde and Health E1, so that clients have access to medical advice. The Department of Work and Pensions regularly sets up shop on our premises, and we have legal advice workshops offered weekly by a trio of legal firms who offer their help to us pro bono.
Housing advice
Our housing advice success rates have improved from last year – this year 91% of those we referred into housing were accepted and housed, up from 49% last year. A further 117 people were assisted in getting their benefits entitlement.
Dual diagnosis
Many of our clients have myriad personal challenges, including and combining mental health problems and drug and/or alcohol misuse: this is known as dual diagnosis.
Complex Needs team
In 2008-09 we restructured our advice service to recognise this. Our Complex Needs team combines advisors with a range of specialisations so that we can best help people and refer them into appropriate services.
Mental Health
Many homeless people suffer from mental health problems - these may have led to homelessness or be the result of life on the street. Our Mental Health worker is on staff to provide drop-in support and advice, as well as referrals into other services. This is especially valuable as clients may not engage in this type of service otherwise. Dual diagnosis specialists from the community mental health team work regularly with the complex needs team.