A ‘life-saving’ service which helps homeless people in east London rebuild their lives has received a six-figure funding boost.
Caritas Anchor House provides a safe place to stay and a range of support for people in Newham.
The Canning Town-based charity has been awarded a £150,000 grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder.
The money will pay for the role of a mental health lead, co-ordinating efforts to support the almost half of service users who report mental health issues affecting their daily lives.
City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson said: “It’s clear from the testimony from people who’ve been helped by Caritas Anchor House that it provides a vital, and in some cases life-saving, role in helping people to turn their lives around.
“This funding will enable people who in many cases have complex issues to receive the support they need to build their resilience and self-esteem, and make the transition into independent living.”
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Last year, 365 individuals were referred to Caritas Anchor House – more than twice the capacity it can accommodate – and it was able to help 278 people, of whom 137 have moved on – 95 into homes of their own, and 42 into short-term accommodation or support services.
The charity provides mental health support and a peer-led recovery programme with group sessions covering topics such as stress management, coping with anxiety, building healthy relationships and mindfulness.
Caritas Anchor House Trust Manager James McNicholas said: “We work with people who face a lot of barriers in accessing services, who often have low self-esteem, high levels of isolation and lack the soft skills and the confidence to achieve their goals.
“We offer support so that those we are here to help can take the lead in their own recovery and to develop the skills that mean they can sustain their tenancy in a new home and leave homelessness behind for good.”
More information about Caritas Anchor House is at www.caritasanchorhouse.org.uk
The City of London Corporation’s charity funder, City Bridge Trust, is London’s biggest independent grant giver, making grants of over £25 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk
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