New Targeted Housing Support Workers are helping others make positive change!

 At the beginning of May, we welcomed two new members to the Arc team in recently developed roles as Targeted Housing Support Workers. 
 

Emma Harrington who is covering Taunton Deane & Maria Curd who is covering Sedgemoor, have both joined after many years of previous experience working within the homeless sector.

The new roles, in collaboration with Somerset Councils Rough Sleeper Targeted Support Initiative (TSI), works in addition to our current housing support workers to provide additional support to those with complex needs and vulnerabilities.

The roles are designed to provide specialised person-centred support, to help those with a history of rough sleeping, those who are new to independent accommodation and those facing eviction, to help them transition easier and sustain long term supported housing.

Working with clients on a 1-2-1 individual basis, the aim is to provide collaborative working to provide permanent solutions and improve access to wider support services. The help comes via inhouse referrals, as well as signposting from external housing providers, outreach services and other support agencies.

The role which is extremely varied could include visiting a client at their property, chaperoning them to a Dr appointment, engaging with Drug & Alcohol support services, encouraging involvement with daytime activities, and supporting people to make positive choices around their physical health and wellbeing.

Emma says “Our role is a collaborative way of working, to help those with a wide range of needs such as substance misuse, money management, mental health conditions and long-lasting illnesses. To stop the cycle and prevent people going back to street homelessness. We want our clients to maintain their accommodation and live a happy and healthy life.”

Here at Arc, we are extremely excited to watch this project unfold contributing to tenancy sustainment, and helping clients build self-esteem and confidence. We hope that we can apply for future funding to extend this contract beyond March 2025.