£11.45m partnership investment to strengthen homelessness support

A group of housing providers in Stoke-on-Trent have secured £11.45 million in funding to grow the city’s “Destination: Home” service, strengthening the support provided to people experiencing homelessness.

The partnership, made up of Concrete (part of Honeycomb Group), Adullam, North Staffs Mind, and us, Brighter Futures, will work together to deliver an enhanced programme that provides accommodation, outreach, prevention and recovery support for residents across the city.

Destination: Home has been operating successfully for the past five years, helping people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. With this new investment, the service will now be able to reach even more people and provide a broader range of support designed to help individuals move forward with their lives.

Funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the expanded programme brings multiple organisations together to create a more connected support pathway. The service will be available to adults aged 18 and over, including single people, couples, vulnerable women and Armed Forces Veterans.

By working alongside partner organisations, we’re strengthening the overall service and creating a more connected pathway of support. While Brighter Futures continues to provide existing support through Hanley Connect Orchid Services and the Rough Sleeper Team, that helps stabilise customers circumstances and plans for the future, the expanded partnership brings together other services from, Concrete (part of Honeycomb Group), Adullam, and North Staffs Mind, that will help us reach more people and prevent homelessness wherever possible.

For those facing immediate crisis, emergency accommodation will offer a safe and secure place to stay while longer-term options are explored. There will also be specialist, trauma-informed accommodation-based support for people experiencing multiple challenges, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse and trauma.

In addition, prevention support will be available within the community to help people maintain their current housing and avoid homelessness in the first place. For individuals ready to take the next step, dedicated move-on support will help them transition into independent living and build the confidence and skills needed to sustain their home.

Julie Guildford Smith, Chief Executive of Honeycomb Group, said the partnership represents a significant opportunity to strengthen homelessness support across the city.

‘Leading this expanded programme is a real privilege. It means we can continue supporting people who are experiencing homelessness while also reaching those who may be at risk before they reach crisis point.’

‘Working alongside Brighter Futures, Adullam and North Staffs Mind allows us to bring together a wide range of expertise. By collaborating closely, we can create services that are more responsive, better connected and ultimately more effective for the people who rely on them.’

Maxine Bradbourn, Chief Executive of Brighter Futures, highlighted the importance of collaboration when addressing homelessness.

‘Tackling homelessness requires organisations to work together, and we’re proud to be a part of a partnership that shares that commitment. Brighter Futures has been supporting people experiencing homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent for more than 20 years, through services such as our Rough Sleepers Team, Orchid Women’s Services and the Hanley Connect homeless hub. This funding will allow us to build on that work by expanding our resources and providing even more specialist support.’

Councillor Chris Robinson, Cabinet Member of Housing and Planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the funding will play an important role in strengthening support for residents facing homelessness.

‘This investment will help us provide a more coordinated and effective response to homelessness across the city. By bringing services together into a single pathway, we can ensure more people get the help they need at the right time.’

‘Supporting people who are homeless, particularly those with complex needs, is an important part of creating safer, stronger communities across Stoke-on-Trent.’

The consortium will now begin preparing the expanded service for delivery, with work underway to mobilise the new support pathway.