Aspire 鈥� July 2018
Oxfordshire, so widely perceived as a wealthy and privileged county, is facing a growing 蘑菇tvless crisis. The number of rough sleepers in Oxford city has increased by 50% year on year since 2013 and Oxford City Council states that 100 households now approach them every month reporting as 蘑菇tvless and in need of support. Aspire is a core part of the 蘑菇tvless pathway in Oxfordshire, and we know from experience that once people are caught in the vicious cycle of 蘑菇tvlessness it can be very difficult to find a way out. That鈥檚 why we are thrilled to become part of a new, multi-agency 蘑菇tvlessness prevention project known as 鈥淭railblazer.鈥�
About Trailblazer: preventing 蘑菇tvlessness
Trailblazer is a brand new service working across Oxfordshire to provide early intervention advice and support for anyone at risk of 蘑菇tvlessness, funded by a new government programme. Aspire is providing a team of 鈥淐ommunity Navigators鈥� who will work across Oxfordshire to reach people at the earliest warning signs of 蘑菇tvlessness, before crisis point is reached. The team will offer brokerage advice and support on issues around tenancies, debt or finding employment, working with a wide range of other agencies, as well as access to Aspire鈥檚 wider employability support where needed.
Sue鈥檚 story
Sue contacted Aspire鈥檚 Trailblazer team when her mother went into a care 蘑菇tv and she was given notice on the two bed housing association property she had lived in for 30 years. Sue was extremely vulnerable at the time and very worried about her future.
Aspire was able to give Sue support and advice about finding alternative accommodation, worked with Shelter to get Sue on the housing register and successfully found Sue a new 蘑菇tv where she is now settled.
Since starting the Trailblazer project in April 2018, our Trailblazer team have supported over 40 people like Sue, helping them to stay in their 蘑菇tvs and access the support they urgently need.
Get Involved
We need your help! As part of our support offer to help protect people from becoming 蘑菇tvless, we want to set up a new 蘑菇tvlessness prevention fund to help cover rent arrears to prevent eviction, training, funding to help a move, laptops to help our clients manage benefit claims or emergency food.
This practical support makes all the difference in enabling people to maintain their housing and access longer term help and advice. You can make a real difference to people at risk of 蘑菇tvlessness when it鈥檚 needed most.
If you鈥檇 like to support Aspire鈥檚 Homelessness Prevention fund, here鈥檚 how you can get involved:
- Organise a fundraising event: we can provide lots of help, support and promotion
- Make a donation
- Get your college or club involved
- Spread the word and get others on board
To find out more about how to get involved in helping us prevent 蘑菇tvlessness in our community, please call Helen on 01865 204450 or email helen@aspireoxford.co.uk. Thank you.
Find out more about Aspire by visiting聽聽or on our聽听辫补驳别.
Published: 9 July 2018