The Stratford Link Project is continuing to run from its latest venue, the Baptist Church Hall in Payton Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm until 3pm, and are being run by P3, with support from Stratford-on-Avon District Council and volunteers, a number of which are members of the Baptist Church.
The Link will continue to run at this venue until the end of the year.
Discussions are ongoing as to the location of the Link in 2020.
After having to close earlier this year, the Stratford Link Project reopened in June 2019, and has been running continuously since then at several locations in the town.
The Link Project provides refreshments for service users, along with opportunities to seek advice and assistance from a number of agencies, including P3, CGL and the District Council's Housing Advice Team.
Preventing homelessness is a top priority for the District Council. In February the District Council secured up to £24,000 in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support initiatives designed to help reduce rough sleeping in the district. The additional funds are being used to deliver a range of bespoke interventions for entrenched rough sleepers.
Also in Stratford there are a range of charities and organisations working to support vulnerable people in the community. This ranges from supporting people with day-to-day needs, to providing long term support enabling them to make lasting and meaningful change.
These groups have come together with a range of statutory partners to form the Meaningful Change campaign. By giving to the charities and organisations involved in this campaign rather than directly to those who beg, you can change lives. You will help to provide long term support rather than funding the current lifestyles in which many of those begging are trapped.
For more information please visit: www.meaningfulchange.org.uk
The Meaningful Change project will also work closely with the new Fred Winter Centre (Stratford Housing Plus) when opened, to ensure that all services to support homeless people are joined up and provide the best possible opportunities for those in need.
Support organisations include:
- P3 Charity: housing-related floating support service to over 25s in Warwickshire; street outreach service for rough sleepers and sofa surfers in Warwickshire: 0808 164 6220
- St Basils: housing-related floating support to those aged 16 to 25 in Warwickshire: text NEED ST BASILS to 62277 or call 01789 332 540
- CGL (Change, Grow, Live): alcohol and drug treatment centre: 16 Court St, Leamington Spa, CV31 2BB Tel: 01926 353513
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 25 Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tel: 01789 200136
- JobCentrePlus: Martin Raff House, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9DA. Tel: 0345 604 3719
The District Council also operates an enhanced Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) - offering rough sleepers overnight shelter and accommodation during extreme weathers conditions. The SWEP has already been activated twice in the last month.
Anyone who is homeless and needs assistance in relation to help, advice and support can contact:
- The District Council's Housing Advice Team on 01789 260861
- P3 on 01789 336279
- Or in person at the District Council Offices, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.
