World Homeless Day marked six months of forfutures

Forfutures helps prevent homelessness in west Cheshire and supports some of the area’s most vulnerable people.

Forfutures runs the area’s homeless support services on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, and supports those who are at risk of being homeless, those without secure accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’, and people sleeping rough.

Since launching on 1st April 2018, the forfutures team has enabled 95 people to receive outreach support to move indoors from the street, 220 are receiving support to prevent them from losing their homes and a further 280 people have accessed immediate advice or information at one of the forfutures hubs.

Di was supported by forfutures after finding herself homeless and sleeping rough in churchyards.

She said: “I was so depressed. I just got on the bus to Chester with the few things I had. I started talking to people on the street. Someone spotted me and asked me if I was homeless. I said I was and she said she was here to help me. She took me somewhere and found me a room. Now I’ve got somewhere more permanent and it’s been really good. I felt really safe, forfutures couldn’t have been more helpful.”

Janet Lawton, strategic homeless lead at forfutures, said: “We have made great progress over the past six months, creating a more joined-up service across west Cheshire, introducing new approaches and increasing the availability of our services.

“It is fitting to mark World Homeless Day by looking back on everything the team, our partners and volunteers have achieved in helping people like Di.

“But it is also an opportunity to look ahead to ensure we continue to help as many people as possible to move away from a life on the streets to a life in a safe, secure home with opportunities to thrive and to support people to keep their tenancies, preventing them from becoming homeless.”

Councillor Angela Claydon, Cabinet Member for housing and Wellbeing, said: “It is the statutory duty of the Council to ensure people who are homeless or at risk of facing homelessness are supported to find accommodation. Once someone has been given accommodation, it is important that they continue to receive emotional and social support.

“We have commissioned forfutures because it can draw on the expertise and resources of ForViva and ForHousing to provide homeless people with a comprehensive package of support services. In the first six months this partnership has proved successful in helping people improve their personal circumstances.”

Forfutures recently brought together partners from across the borough at Storyhouse in Chester to reflect on achievements made in its first six months and to consider how to continue to improve homeless support services in the area.

The 75-person strong forfutures team has introduced a range of new approaches to support people into safe, secure housing and provide them with opportunities to build more positive and sustainable futures.

This includes a revised street outreach service, mediation services, health and wellbeing support and four hubs offering immediate advice and information about housing options.

Forfutures have been supported with this by a whole range of different organisations, from statutory services to charities and faith groups across the borough.

If you are concerned about becoming homeless yourself or are worried about somebody else you can visit www.forfutures.co.uk for more information or contact the organisation by phone or email.

Referrals or enquiries about the service can be made by:

Members of the public who are concerned about someone sleeping rough can call the 24-hour number 0300 123 2442 (option 4) to let the forfutures Outreach team know.