30
Sept
Rough sleeping pledge sees Harrogate Homeless Project expansion
We have made this article free to read because we want to keep people informed about their local area. But to be able to keep reporting, we need subscribers – for just £4.99 a month you can stay in the loop about what’s going on where you live. You can get started here.
Harrogate Homeless Project is advertising six new vacancies, to be funded by a massive cash injection from central government.
Prime Minster Andy Burnham said when he took office in July that he wanted to end rough sleeping, and the following month announced £102 million of funding to provide accommodation for every homeless person in the UK over Christmas.
Harrogate Homeless Project said the funding allotted to the Harrogate district through all new schemes would amount to £547,000 over the next three years.
At the time, the charity's chief executive, Richard Cooper, called it a "truly significant step", adding:
There are more services we need to provide. There are services we need to provide more intensively. There are services we need to provide over a longer time.
Now, the charity, which is based on Bower Street, is seeking candidates for six new roles: employment support officer, women’s support worker, activities officer, financial controller, life skills coach and an administration officer.
All the roles are permanent, apart from the employment support officer, which is a 12-month fixed-term contract with the possibility to extend at the end of the term.
The charity hopes to conduct interviews in October. The start date for each post will depend on the successful applicant’s availability.
Asked what qualities the successful candidates would share, Mr Cooper said:
Harrogate Homeless Project's values are hope, empowerment and teamwork. Any member of our team should embody those values.
They will work with others to empower people to change their lives. They will offer hope to people who face immense challenges around their physical and mental health, around drug and alcohol addiction, around finding work and maintaining positive relationships among many other challenges.
Through its extended Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, the government will also fund improvements to accommodation for entrenched rough sleepers, such as replacement bathrooms at Harrogate Homeless Project's hostel, and improved facilities at its Springboard day centre.
Other funds will help tackle drug and alcohol addiction and offer help with everyday living skills, such as cooking and budgeting.
0