Outreach & Resettlement
The Outreach team goes into the local area to help those who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless, who are street sleeping or who are bedding down in cars or in tents. They offer practical support and signpost to our Resource Centre and hostel as well as to a range of other agencies that may be able to help.
The Resettlement team helps people with housing issues. These could be a tenant who is unfairly evicted, a landlord failing to carry out urgent maintenance or someone who needs help to complete the paperwork required for a housing referral. A large part of their role is PREVENTING homelessness and supporting people so that they can maintain their accommodation and learn to thrive there.
Resident's Story
Paul's Story
One of our service users Paul shares his story. He first came to Crawley Open House 19 years ago following a relationship breakdown. Although Paul was rehoused his struggles with alcohol and his declining mental health eventually took their toll and he lost his council tenancy.
From there Paul rented in shared accommodation for many years, but he found living with groups of people challenging. Paul felt he needed a place of his own and together with Caridon we rehoused Paul in a flat in Crawley.
“I had to leave my shared accommodation. I’d get on with people at first then it seemed like the slightest thing they’d do, like not washing up would make me angry and I’d lose my temper.
I was sofa surfing for about six weeks. When I got paid, I’d pay for a couple of nights in a hotel. I didn’t want to go on the streets, but there came a time when I had to.
Once I was sleeping rough my mental health suffered and I attempted suicide two times in the space of a month. I was in hospital for about 10 days before I was moved to a mental health unit. When they thought I was ok to leave the staff tried to find me somewhere to live, but there was nowhere. I came out of hospital and started sleeping in a supermarket car park, but I began to feel unsafe and I attempted suicide again, so I was back in hospital.
When I came out, I was rough sleeping. I ended up bedding down near Crawley Open House. After four nights there was a bed space in the hostel for me.
From where I was to where I am now, I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Crawley Open House.
I saw Helen the hostel health worker every day and she helped me with my medication and supported me in cutting down on my drinking - it was up to 10 cans a day when I was homeless. John (the Resource Centre health worker) helped me with hospital appointments as my physical health wasn’t good, but I think it was the help of the whole team at Crawley Open House that got me to where I am. If things were difficult and you needed to talk, there was always someone you could speak to.
Now I have my own Caridon flat.
I’ve been there eight months and I’m happier now. I like my own space. Once I lock my door it’s just me and that’s how I want it."
If you would like to make a difference to people like Paul, please donate today.