CRASH has continued its support of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Newcastle with the creation of further self-contained flats to provide supported move on accommodation. These latest flat have been created specifically for homeless women after evidence showed that there was virtually no supported move on accommodation for this vulnerable group in the area.
Through CRASH, SVP has received pro bono professional expertise and donations of materials from CRASH Patrons British Gypsum and Dulux Trade and from supporters Twyfords, Isover and Symphony Kitchens. CRASH awarded the project a cash grant of £25,000.
The top floor of the Grade II listed building lent itself perfectly to this project as it is separated from the accommodation provided for men.
Research showed that women made up 26% of people who accessed homelessness services in 2013, which in real numbers was around 10,000 people. At the sharpest end of homelessness, 786 women were recorded sleeping rough in the last year.
Homeless women have many complicated, interrelated problems contributing to their homelessness, which are often rooted in trauma due to violence and abuse in childhood and then adulthood. A further risk is that if a vulnerable woman flees domestic abuse and ends up in a mixed hostel where another incident of abuse takes place, this counteracts any positive progress made in their recovery.
Following the completion of the flats, SVPs Cliff Akenclose said, We would like to thank all who have helped to make this happen and especially CRASH without their involvement we not have completed our goals so quickly.
Over the years, the SVP has responded to social changes, providing a range of additional services depending on the prevailing need. Today, these Community Support Projects/Special Works include furniture stores, support centres, providing accommodation to vulnerable people, disability projects, soup runs, children's camps and various holiday schemes amongst other things.