various reasons why the offer of somewhere to live may not be enough to break the cycle of homelessness for some . In December 2022 , the Luton rough sleeping teams were aware of 25 people who were rough sleeping , but five of those did have accommodation available to them .

For those of us working in temporary accommodation and homelessness provisions , we understand that building trust is key to positive engagement . So we work alongside our homelessness partners in Luton to offer an approach that covers housing , mental health support , substance and alcohol support , and primary care needs , and we take the offer to the street homeless population to make those initial links .’

CONTINUED PRESENCE SIG will continue to play its part in supporting people experiencing homelessness . Our services and geographical locations work to deliver homelessness services , especially in Kent , through our Pathways to Independence services , and in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea through the SIG Penrose Complex Needs Hub . We have a wealth of knowledge and a broad range of services across the group , and we work together to shape best practice . But one thing is certain – homelessness should not become the norm for those who find themselves in difficulties .

Vanessa Johnson is communications manager at SIG .

SOREN ’ S STORY Soren did a variety of jobs in his 20s , usually losing them as a result of his drinking . At 27 , his GP referred him to Ealing RISE and he went into detox . Offered a flat by the local council , he was abstinent for around nine months before again losing his job . After a two-week spell in prison he ‘ spiralled out of control ’, eventually losing his flat . He was offered another detox place but couldn ’ t accept it as he was homeless .

He was then accepted at a ‘ wet house ’, where he relapsed again .

He was now street homeless , but after attending a series of

‘ Staying sober and living sober is different . That ’ s where the hard work and aftercare come in .’

12-step programmes he entered Cherington House in Ealing . He ’ s been there for 18 months and has been sober for around two years . He still attends RISE and goes to AA meetings but believes there ’ s a lack of understanding around the links between homelessness and factors like substance misuse .

‘ For the majority , there ’ s not enough help ,’ he says . ‘ People must want to change and need gentle support , not preaching and ultimatums . People that look down on the homeless don ’ t realise they can only be one or two pay cheques away from being there too .’ He

WESLEY ’ S STORY Wesley * first became homeless early in 2022 , but was not street homeless for very long . He ’ d been arrested the previous year and charged with bodily harm and criminal damage ( to his own property ). Although the assault charges were dropped , he went from living with his partner and children to moving back in with his parents . He ’ d been drinking heavily since 2017 , eventually losing his job . ‘ Alcohol ’ s sole intention is to isolate you from everyone so it can control you ,’ he says .

After falling out with his parents he went to the Medway Council ’ s offices and told them that he needed help , and was eventually referred to SIG Pathways to Independence . He now lives in a shared house , and is hoping to be permanently housed . He volunteers , and is in touch with Turning Point and Open Road . He ’ s also started adult education classes , and has contact with his children and extended family .

‘ When you find yourself alone even though there are others around you , with nowhere to go , that ’ s what rock bottom means to me ,’ he says . ‘ I ’ m grateful that I ’ m in contact with my family again . It took a lot of hard work to build trust again but it ’ s the fear factor of knowing that I have a lot to lose that keeps me going . I ’ m tremendously grateful to Pathways . I ’ m living just for today . I have to make the right choice . My message to anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances is to ask for help .’

* Not his real name

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