Trust reflects on positive year helping people facing homelessness

Derventio Housing Trust has been reflecting on its achievements over the past year, in which it helped house more than 1,000 people facing homelessness.

During 2023, the trust provided supported housing to 1,079 people, including hundreds in Derby.

Headquartered in Derby, it provides supported housing across a wide area of England – Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire – to people who have either experienced homelessness or are at risk of it.

Working in some of the most deprived areas in the country, the not-for-profit organisation is currently providing housing to 217 people in Derby.

Jackie Carpenter, the trust’s assistant director of strategy, said: “Our accommodation is at the heart of our organisation.

“We work with residents to end the cycle of homelessness and grow their potential, become self-sufficient and lead happy and fulfilled lives. Having a safe, secure home is the first step.”

Last year, its efforts were recognised with a major award, when it was crowned winner in the Community Impact category at the prestigious East Midlands Chamber Business Awards.

Jackie said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to have won this award for our work helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“It is great that our hard-working staff have been recognised for the positive impact they are having.”

As well as providing supported accommodation, the trust runs additional services to promote skill-building and personal development among those it is helping.

This includes the Home4Me project, which supports people who are facing exclusion from their rental properties, Healthy Futures, a project which supports people who are homeless in hospital, and Growing Lives, which is an Ilkeston-based project providing activities and opportunities to help people gain confidence.

Derventio also runs Multiply, which helps people build their numeracy skills to help them in life and work.

It also runs Sylvester’s Fund, which is used to buy one-off items helping residents when they move away from its accommodation into their own properties.

Jackie said: “Every year we give more than 1,000 people the chance to take control of their lives and make positive changes.

“For some this meant moving off the streets for the first time in years or moving into their own home.

“For others, it meant taking the first steps towards more confidence or getting a job.

“The benefits to individuals have included better mental health, reduced isolation, more confidence, new skills and better health and wellbeing.”