Stoke-based homeless charity recruiting mentors as mental health issues rise
It's said the cost of living is making things even more difficult
Last updated 1st Nov 2022
A Stoke-based homelessness charity is looking to expand its peer mentor service after a rise in demand.
Concrete is a local charity aiming to eradicate homelessness across Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire East and the surrounding areas.
The charity’s peer mentor service launched in 2017 and supports customers with a bespoke mentoring service. Since it’s launch, the service has supported approximately 70 people through a mixture of one-to-one long-term mentoring, telephone support and group sessions.
New funding from the Rough Sleepers Initiative has seen the service able to expand and Concrete is now looking for more individuals with lived experience of homelessness and multiple disadvantages to join the team.
Some current peer mentors are Concrete customers, but this isn’t a necessary requirement. The service is now looking for anyone across Staffordshire who could use their unique experience to make a difference to someone’s life.
The service works by matching peer mentors with Concrete customers in need of extra support. They meet with them regularly and are always on the other end of the phone if they need someone to talk to.
Peer mentors help customers navigate their journey towards independent living and support them as they achieve their goals and get closer to their new chapters.
For peer mentors, it allows them to give back and use their lived experience in a positive way.
Peer Mentor Co-ordinator Lisa Mould oversees the service.
She said: “We’ve been running the peer mentor scheme at Concrete for a number of years now and it’s really successful.
“Lived experience is such a powerful tool so we’re always keen to use it and learn from it.
“We’re thrilled to have secured this funding to expand the service and increase the number of peer mentors on our team.
“For someone just starting out on their journey, meeting someone who has come out the other side is incredibly powerful.
“Concrete’s mission is to make homelessness history. By expanding the team and recruiting even more peer mentors, we can support more people in this unique way and make this mission a reality.”
To find out more about Concrete’s peer mentor service, or to get involved, visit thisisconcrete.org.uk/peermentors
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