Charity launches new financial support project
HOMELESS charity, Community Housing Aid, has secured funding to help vulnerable people resolve financial and housing issues.
The new project, entitled What Works 4 You, will target offenders, ex-offenders and young people aged between 16-25.
It has been funded by a grant of £80,482 from the Money Advice Service and will operate from Community Housing Aid’s office at Co-Lab, Wat Tyler House, in Exeter.
Stuart Hooper, Director of Community Housing Aid (CHA) said: ‘We are very pleased to be working with Money Advice Service to improve the wellbeing of people who are struggling with their finances’.
‘As a homeless charity, we see first-hand the practical and emotional impact that debt and money problems have. Our hope is that by providing support in a relaxed, safe space for clients - no appointments necessary - we can not only resolve any immediate financial issues, but also help people to feel greater confidence to make informed decisions in the future.’
The project will seek to support two client groups via a dedicated space and where experienced staff will offer:
- Immediate assistance with benefit and debt issues
- A suite of resources and staff support to help identify and improve common areas of (financial) concern
- Support to access a wide range of agencies who are based at Co-Lab.
The project has been specifically designed to deliver information and resources to two client groups; offenders and ex-offenders and young people aged between 16-25, both groups the CHA has a long history of supporting.
The sessions for 16-25 year olds will be held on Mondays and Fridays and the offender and ex-offender sessions will take place via the Engage Hub on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The initial pilot project will be for 12 months, and will be evaluated by SERIO, University of Plymouth.
