Cambridge Cyrenians Older Homeless Project offers support to homeless and ex-homeless men and women, over the age of 50.

The service can provide additional support to individuals currently in temporary accommodation, assist with accessing more suitable, premanant accommodation, usually sheltered housing, support them through the move and provide follow up support for as long as is required.

Services Aims

The primary aims of the service are to:

• improve access to sheltered housing for former homeless men and women
• provide long-term support in a safe and supportive environment
• provide a service based on needs and offers opportunities for clients to make a greater contribution in decisions about their own care
• ensure other services engage and communicate

Support

Personally tailored support plans are agreed with clients, based on their individual needs and aspirations, supporting them to enhance their quality of life.

As well we offer practical advice and support on issues such as welfare and housing benefits, bill paying, budgeting, and other life skills as well as access to voluntary work, such as our own allotment project of over 50's and other leisure activities.

Particularly, in the run up to a move, the project can assist with applications for Community Care grants, or other financial support to purchase furniture and other household items for their new home.

We also support residents to deal with broader personal, social and health issues, and we work with all residents to:

• Ensure that they receive health care and other support services to address any untreated physical or mental health needs
• Practical help with day to day living, for example, help with shopping, laundry, reminders to take medication, personal hygiene etc.
• Assist in developing residents' social links and contact with their families

The service provides an advocacy service and encourages self-advocacy.

Partnership

To ensure that clients receive the best support possible and that their needs are met, it is essential that all appropriate services, be they statutory or voluntary, work together for the benefit of the client.

It is also important to involve these agencies at an early stage in each clients support plan.

The Older Homeless Project works closely with a range of services, such as the housing providers own support staff, the District Nurse, Care Services, G.P. hospital staff and Social Services, plus our own Mental Health Team to make certain that each client gets the support they need.

Follow up

Many clients support needs will increase with time, rather than decrease, but in the instances where a client no longer requires regular contact, each client is reassured that the service operates an open door policy, and that clients can contact the service at any time, preferably sooner rather than later, if they feel the need.

How to apply

Applications can be made directly to the project by contacting the Older Homeless Project Worker using the details on the Contact Us page. Any agency or individual may make an application. Agency referrals will be required to complete a Referral Form.

Potential referrers and their clients are also welcome to telephone for an informal chat, or to arrange a visit prior to making a referral.