Trust’s joy at securing funding to support vulnerable people

Derventio Housing Trust has expressed its delight after securing funding streams to support some of the most vulnerable people in Derby and Derbyshire.

The trust, which is currently providing supported housing to 1,200 people across five UK counties – including more than 200 people in Derby alone – says the secured funding for its Growing Lives, Home4Me and Healthy Futures projects will support some of those most in need to hope for a brighter future.

All three funding streams are used in different areas of Derbyshire to provide a range of support including drug and alcohol recovery, employability support, housing for those who would otherwise be on the streets, as well as those discharged from hospital who would have nowhere to go without support.

Jackie Carpenter, assistant director of strategy for Derventio Housing Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have secured these three funding streams, which will help us support people going through some of the toughest times imaginable.

“Those people we help through these grants have come through some terrible times and we are pleased to be able to continue offering help.

“People who come to us may be living on the streets; often, they are struggling with drug and alcohol use and may have come from some very troubled backgrounds, growing up in care and neglected from a young age.

“Through support from a dedicated housing and support officers, we aim to help everyone in Derventio Housing to a more positive future.”

Derventio Housing Trust has been awarded two years GRID (Growing Recovery in Derbyshire) funding through Derbyshire County Council.

This money pays for Derventio’s Growing Lives project in Ilkeston, which runs a range of support for people, including help with drug and alcohol use, craft activities, a woodworking room, gardening and weekly walks.

The funding is currently supporting 14 people and also includes help with employability.

Derventio has also secured another year’s funding for its Home4Me project and The Bridge, which provides 24 bed spaces of accommodation to those facing the biggest barriers and challenges.

All have been referred by the street outreach team in Derby, putting people into housing direct from the streets.

Nearly half of those supported through this funding stream have moved on in a positive way to other supported housing, including their own tenancy or moving in with a partner.

The third funding stream that has been supported by Chesterfield Borough Council for another year is called Healthy Futures and has provided housing for 20 people – supported by a housing and support specialist – for people discharged from hospital who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

Jackie said: “People from a wide range of backgrounds have been able to access support from Derventio Housing Trust over the years we have operated.

“These three funding streams help us support some of those facing the most severe challenges and it’s good to know we can carry on doing so while these grants are in place.”