The Mayor of London funds a number of rough sleeping services to the tune of £19.2m.
His Winter Programme Fund aims to provide 300 additional beds from after Christmas until the end of February 2020. One of the priorities of the Winter Programme is to support moves into longer-term accommodation.
The London Assembly Housing Committee will visit the Deptford Reach day centre, which is run by ThamesReach, to speak to representatives and service users about their experiences.
As part of the Winter Programme, Thames Reach is delivering Lewisham Night Shelter - a 10-bed night shelter for rough sleepers, including people who have complex needs. The service is delivered from the site of the Deptford Reach day centre.
The day centre is used by a range of people, but is an integral part of Thames Reach’s commitment to homelessness prevention, ensuring that people with various needs are supported before street homelessness occurs.
The service supports over 2,500 people each year who have been affected by homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues and social isolation. The centre provides tailored support, advice, education and training to help people recover and rebuild their lives. It also offers basic services for people who need them, including hot meals, showers, a launderette, clothes, and a food bank, along with a dentist and a nurse, who are available one day a week.
The attendees are:
- Andrew Boff AM, Deputy Chair, Housing Committee
- Bill Tidnam, Chief Executive, Thames Reach
- Katherine Cowling, Lead Manager, Deptford Reach
- Jordan McTigue, Senior Practitioner, Lewisham Night Shelter
- Service users
Date and time: Tuesday 3 March, 10:00am-12:00noon
Location and address: Deptford Reach day centre, 64 Speedwell St, London, SE8 4AT
How to get there: Deptford train station is a five minute walk away
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE VISIT BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY
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Notes to editors
- Thames Reach is a charity supporting people facing homelessness through prevention, intervention and recovery. The charity specialises in helping people with complex and multiple needs, including those associated with poor mental health and substance misuse.
- The Deptford Reach day centre is not funded by the Mayor.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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