Last Friday (6th Deember) saw Bernie Woulfe, Sam Lennon, Mat Bellamy, Melanie Hopkinson and Tracy Chisholm take on the Threshold Big Swindon Sleep Out.
Our fab five braved the elements to gain and understanding of the challenges faced promising by those who routinely sleep rough no matter the weather. So far the team have raised a staggering £1,108.75 including Gift Aid! To boost their total please consider donating here
Threshold Housing Link is an independent charity that aims to prevent and positively tackle homelessness in Swindon. They offer support in a holistic approach and in a person centred way to local homeless individuals and to those threatened with homelessness.
Threshold Housing Link, commonly know as Threshold, has been Swindon's Homeless Charity for over 40 years. It all started in 1972, by a group of local individuals known as The Swindon Cyrenians (AGAPE), that used to rally together, offering soup to those found rough sleeping on the streets. Over the years, the charity has grew and changed. The Swindon Cyrenians became Thamesdown Housing Link in 1998 and in 2004 Thamesdown Housing Link became Threshold Housing Link. However, the charity's intention have always remained the same; to support homeless individuals in Swindon.
Threshold's aims are
1. To prevent homelessness in Swindon
2. To alleviate the associated social exclusion of homelessness and actively asset recovery from its effects
3. Influence policy that affects homeless and socially excluded people
Threshold offer three services
Street Outreach Service
Our Street Outreach Service offers support, advice and guidance to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The main aim for the Outreach Team is to:
Identify and support rough sleepers
Help people to retain their accommodation if threatened with eviction and homelessness
Sign post to other relevant agencies
Provide support and assistance with accessing state benefits, medical care, drug and alcohol services and mental health services.
The Street Outreach Team can, if needed assist clients with negotiating with other organisations and attend pre-planned meetings. They are able to work on behalf of their clients in dealing with almost any issue, whether this be face to face, a phone call, by email or with a letter.
The Street Outreach Team does not manage accommodation, but does have excellent working relations with local hostels, specialist housing providers, private sector landlords and Swindon Borough Council so they can assist their service users in finding suitable accommodation.
Resettlement Service
We operate 3 long term hostels which provide a resettlement programme in medium term, shared accommodation with limited support for both single homeless men and women.
This accommodation is accessed by agency or by clients self referral. Applicants should require medium to low support to undergo the resettlement programme. The programme provides intensive housing management and individual life skills training. There are currently 3 hostels and up to 5 people share each house. Staff support is available through a key working process and a 24 hour on-call system. Nominations for permanent accommodation can be achieved but may take up to 18 months.
Floating Support
Our resettlement team provide Floating Support, a service available to those who have completed the resettlement programme. It offers continued support within the client’s community based, permanent accommodation. This service is aimed at helping people sustain and maintain their independent accommodation and living.