A HOMELESS woman who had resorted to sleeping in churchyards in Chester has now been helped off the streets.

Known as Di, she was spotted by an outreach worker with council contractor forfutures and now has a permanent home where she can feel safe.

She said: “I was so depressed. I just got on the bus to Chester with the few things I had. I started talking to people on the street. Someone spotted me and asked me if I was homeless. I said I was and she said she was here to help me.

“She took me somewhere and found me a room. Now I’ve got somewhere more permanent and it’s been really good. I felt really safe.”

Di told her story to mark World Homeless Day on Wednesday, October 10. The date also marks six months since forfutures – part of ForViva Group - took over homelessness services for Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The company signed a 10-year, £23 million contract with authority to support people at risk of being homeless, those without secure accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’, and rough sleepers.

Bosses say that Di’s experience represents one of many success stories chalked up since April.

The 75-strong forfutures team is said to have helped around 80 rough sleepers into direct access accommodation, and nearly 50 people have moved from direct access into support housing.

Almost 118 people have been enabled to move from supported housing into independent living, with more than 480 receiving support to prevent them from becoming homeless.

The team has introduced a range of new approaches to support people into safe, secure housing and provide them with opportunities to build more positive and sustainable futures.

This includes a revised street outreach service, mediation services, health and wellbeing support and four hubs offering immediate advice and information about housing options.

Forfutures has been supported with this by a range of organisations, from statutory services to charities and faith groups across the borough.

In its first six months, bosses claim 95 people have received outreach support to move indoors from the street, 220 people are receiving support to prevent them from losing their home and a further 280 people have accessed immediate advice or information at one of the forfutures hubs.

Janet Lawton, strategic homeless lead at forfutures, said: “We have made great progress over the past six months, creating a more joined-up service across west Cheshire, introducing new approaches and increasing the availability of our services.

“It is fitting to mark World Homeless Day by looking back on everything the team, our partners and volunteers have achieved in helping people like Di.

“But it is also an opportunity to look ahead to ensure we continue to help as many people as possible to move away from a life on the streets to a life in a safe, secure home with opportunities to thrive and to support people to keep their tenancies, preventing them from becoming homeless.”

Cllr Angela Claydon, cabinet member for housing at the council, said: “It is the statutory duty of the council to ensure people who are homeless or at risk of facing homelessness are supported to find accommodation. Once someone has been given accommodation, it is important that they continue to receive emotional and social support.”

Forfutures recently brought together partners from across the borough at Storyhouse in Chester to reflect on achievements made in its first six months and to consider how to continue to improve homeless support services in the area.

  • Anyone concerned about becoming homeless or worried about somebody else can visit www.forfutures.co.uk for more information or contact the organisation by phone or email.

Referrals or enquiries about the service can be made by: calling 0300 123 2442, emailing hello@forfutures.co.uk, or via www.forfutures.co.uk

Members of the public who are concerned about someone sleeping rough can call the 24-hour number 0300 123 2442 (option 4) to let the forfutures Outreach team know.