It was challenging for one guest to find appropriate housing due to facing multiple barriers. They were living in a car which increases their anxiety and depression. They were not classed as priority need so the Gatehouse connected them with housing legal advice. The guest was referred to our Counselling service which has been of great help and support to them. The continued legalities of the housing case are ongoing but they have a good rapport with the Gatehouse and they engage regularly for updates, and are given emotional and moral support whilst navigating complex external processes.
The Gatehouse recently supported a guest with a three-hour PIP assessment via telephone which finally awarded the client the highest award. They hope to buy a second hand mobility scooter with some of the funds, to help mobility and regain their independence in the community.
One guest was supported with exploring, and engaging with, befriending services; housing options, mental health services and liaison with their GP on occasions when there were concerns for their mental and physical health.
One particularly vulnerable guest lost their wallet with cards and bus pass and could not get home safely. The Gatehouse paid for and ordered a taxi to take them home. The housing provision was then contacted to check they got home safely and made a plan of action with the manager. A few days later the manager called to say the guest’s wallet had been found by a member of the public and handed in to the local council.
With on-going support throughout the process, another guest has now collected their keys for their new apartment and has just started a full time permanent contract for work. The client needed a new laptop: a successful referral has been made to Getting Oxfordshire Online.
Another guest had been long term homeless and lives with mental health needs. They wanted accommodation but they had been living outside for so long and didn’t know whether they could adapt to living in a property. We explored different housing options and set up meetings with housing providers alongside the guest. Many were not a good fit but eventually a provider who offered a self-contained flat and a 24-hour warden was secured. Finally, the guest moved in successfully. We are still supporting them with organising benefits and with managing and retaining a tenancy.
Another guest complained about considerable back pain and requested support in advocating their needs to their GP. After several weeks of liaising with the guest and the GP a home visit, blood tests and examinations were actioned which highlighted that they were in fact suffering with a spinal injury as a consequence of a recent fall. They received the appropriate follow on treatment.
The Gatehouse collaborated with another local charity supporting a guest with gaining the right legal support after their claim for asylum was denied. They were street homeless, unable to work or secure housing for 20 years in the UK. Thanks to the collaborative working approach and the generous external support with legal costs, their immigration application has been approved. This will be a life-changing outcome, opening new doors to work and housing.
One family received notice to leave their private tenancy due to the property needing to be sold. They registered with the local authority but the waiting list was extensive so in the interim, options were explored and the client was subsequently supported to secure the deposit and rent (from another local charity) in advance for a new private tenancy.
Via the community centre, several guests throughout 2022 who have fled from being victims of crime and exploitation have received clothing and foot ware parcels in emergency circumstances.