Wiltshire rough sleepers to be offered trauma counselling
The Council's got over £300,000 of Government funding
Rough sleepers across Wiltshire are to be offered trauma counselling and targeted financial help.
It'll be delivered by Wiltshire Council, as they've been given nearly £307,000 from the Government.
That'll be used over the next two years, towards services to help homeless people turn their lives around and get into accommodation and employment.
Wiltshire Council's cash will fund a new social worker, dedicated to helping rough sleepers and getting them appropriate support.
They'll also use their Government grant to:
- Provide private counselling sessions for those who have a history of trauma
- Top up the personalisation budget which helps rough sleepers with transport to appointments, birth certificates, furniture for their new home as well as funding for meaningful occupation such as transport to volunteering opportunities
- Add to the existing hotel and bed and breakfast budget – this allows the council to make off the street offers to rough sleepers as a temporary measure to help them get back on track and engage with services, pending longer-term accommodation being found
- Top up the existing Private Rented Sector incentive – this allows the council to financially support rough sleepers with deposit and rent in advance into private rented accommodation
Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing said:
“We already work hard to help our rough sleepers turn their lives around and encourage them into a good place where they have a roof over their heads, a stable routine and can start to look to the future. I’m pleased we have many positive stories of this happening.
“However we cannot ignore the fact many rough sleepers have mental health issues and they need support to address underlying issues as well as the material support. The appointment of a mental health social worker builds on the work we already do and expands the support and guidance we offer people. Our hope is we can help more rough sleepers not only get their life back on track but keep going in the right direction.”