Scottish Outreach Worker
After research identified a growing number of homeless Scots on the streets, we launched this service in 2014.
Patricia
Meet the Workers
Our Scottish Outreach Workers, Patricia and Alex, are based at The Connection at St Martin in the Fields, London’s busiest homelessness charity. This project is based in Westminster, where the majority (58%) of our clients are located. Some are amongst the most entrenched rough sleepers in London, and we believe a front-line service is crucial to best support those in need [CHAIN, 2019].
Alex
Our outreach team work pan-London, meaning we are able to work directly with those most in need, ultimately trying to engage them with appropriate support services to break the cycle of their homelessness once and for all.
Client support needs
Those we support often have complex support needs:
%
mental health issues
%
physical health needs
%
drug and substance misuse
%
have been brought up in care
%
have spent time in prison
This highlights the complexity of the work carried out by our Outreach workers, and this often means more intense engagement is required over a sustained period of time with clients.
Interventions
Interventions with clients can vary massively, and can last from 2 weeks to 18 months and more. With a shortage of housing available across boroughs, this can mean clients waiting for several months on accommodation. Therefore, our Outreach team ensure they have whatever support they require in the interim, whilst also liaising with relevant agencies to ensure this process happens as quickly as possible.
Results
Over the past year (2018/19), our Scottish Outreach Worker project has helped 68 clients with a wide range of complex support needs, more than quadruple the number of our original target when the project was launched. Year-on-year we have helped more clients get the support they desperately need, however many more still need our support. Ongoing support is given by our outreach workers until the point it is no longer needed.
Billy’s Story
Billy grew up in Edinburgh. As an early teenager, he suffered a major trauma. To read more about Billy’s story and how Borderline helped click the link below.