A PROJECT to help rough sleepers has been launched in Maldon following a £1.7million grant.
The Chelmsford and Maldon Changing Futures Rough Sleepers Initiative has been launched involving Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT), Maldon District Council, Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council.
It comes after almost £1.7m of funding was awarded to a partnership of ten Essex councils via the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) in September 2022.
The service aims to support rough sleepers to improve their health and well-being and provide wraparound health and social care.
It delivers interventions to help them move towards securing accommodation.
Similar initiatives are operating successfully in Braintree, Southend and Epping, with the Braintree and Epping team recently winning a Working in Partnership award at the Essex Housing Awards.
Sean Paulin, service manager for EPUT, said: “We are delighted to be part of this partnership initiative that helps a group of people who might not otherwise receive the support they need with their mental and physical health and social needs.
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“Our Rough Sleeper Mental Health Navigator, who is part of the team, supports rough sleepers with identified mental health problems and ensures they receive timely and appropriate support.
“The Mental Health Navigator will meet the rough sleeper at a mutually agreed space, where they feel comfortable and safe.
“They can facilitate access to physical health services, liaise with the Primary Care Network Mental Health teams and even accompany them to appointments if required.”
He added: “By working in partnership with housing colleagues, we're able to help with a person’s overall needs, which ultimately may lead to stabilisation, a sense of security, hopefulness and recovery.”
Councillor Penny Channer, leader of Maldon District Council, said: “I am delighted that we are part of this vital outreach service which reaches and engages with those who have found it difficult to navigate housing, health, and mental health services.
“This partnership has already delivered lasting change by creating a robust system where vulnerable individuals can be identified and assisted quickly.”
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