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Walk through any city centre in the UK and it’s clear to see that there is an increase in the number of homeless people on the streets. Currently, it is estimated that homelessness affects over 320,000 people in the UK, and this is a growing statistic that won’t stop unless we do something about it.
There is never one single reason for homelessness, and no two cases are the same, which is why it is such a difficult issue to tackle. Fortunately, there are charities across the UK that are working to try and solve the problem once piece at the time, and one way they are doing it is through residential programmes.
What is a residential programme?
More often than not, people living on the streets need more than just a bed to sleep on. There is a whole host of problems within their lives that need solving in order to help them get back on their feet.
With the residential programmes, there are a whole host of different parts that aid those in need to rebuild their lives. First of all, it begins with building a trustworthy support network which involves giving the homeless a safe place to stay. From here, they have the foundations to feel secure and start the process. From here, education is provided and people are often there to help inspire the homeless to get back on their feet and give them the motivation they need.
Finally, employment. The last step in the programme links the homeless with companies to find them employment so they can truly begin to live in the normal world again. Hopefully from this comes a solid income and a home to call their own, just like the rest of us have.
But these schemes don’t just come from thin air. As well as tax-payer funds going into them, they rely on the help of companies to offer financial aid. So far, Car.co.uk have made annual savings of £167,345 to society via reduced benefit costs to local authorities. As their business increases through more people choosing insurance policies through them, they are able to contribute more towards the programmes.
What happens during the programme?
The programme consists of 6 stages:
Stage 1: The most important factor at the beginning of the programme is that the residents feel safe. Therefore, they are registered with doctors, the bank and other key companies, as well as given some basic courses to do to lay the foundations of the programme.
Stage 2: Once settled, the residents can begin to choose which career path they want to go down and delve further into the qualifications they need.
Stage 3: Next, residents learn about creating a CV and covering letter and are offered the chance to take part in a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme exam so they are able to apply for a variety of construction jobs.
Stage 4: Now the resident has chosen a career path, they can learn more about the job, find work experience and the training is tailored specifically to suit their needs. A first aid course is also offered.
Stage 5: In-order to be prepared for full-time employment, the penultimate stage involves fully training the residents in the required skills they need to get the job they want.
Stage 6: Last but not least, the residents are offered full-time employment so they can begin to start making money. On top of this, one-to-one support continues to help the residents find a home of their own and begin building a new future.
Once the programme has been completed, the residents should be in a strong position with a steady income and their own accommodation. This means there are less homeless people on the streets and it is less of a cost to the UK.
