Who do we support?
75% of the people we support are homeless.
In 2024 The Haven welcomed 138 new guests previously unknown to us. 63% of these new guests were street homeless, sofa surfing or living in emergency/temporary accommodation funded by local and neighbouring councils.
The needs of the homeless (in particular rough sleepers and sofa-surfers) that we are able and qualified to meet include the provision of a warm and safe space, of shower and laundry facilities, sleeping bags, duvets, tents, clothing, hot meals, hot drinks, benefits’ claims, notification of changes of circumstances for such claims, and referrals to and/or liaison with one or more of the local authority housing options team and rough sleepers’ team (both within and without Torbay), the Drug and Alcohol Service, the Probation Service, local GPs, the Community Mental Health Team, the local food bank and supermarket via the Torbay Community helpline, the Torbay Domestic Abuse Service, the YMCA, debt advice services, the Torbay Sensory Service, HM Prison Service and the police.
We assist those who are homeless to obtain a tenancy in the private sector or in supported accommodation. With support, some successfully maintain their accommodation.
In 2024 our shower was used not less than 280 times a year, and the laundry 300 times. 2,880 meals were provided, 100 requests for food parcels were submitted and a total of 960 phone calls were made to support our guests out of crisis.
Our other guests may be said to fall into three groups:
those who are very intermittent visitors and need some practical support or advice on a specific issue.
those who are regular guests whom we help to make ends meet and guide through crises from time to time, some who are lonely or isolated, those who are part of our community and for whom we are an integral part of their wider support network.
and those who are regular guests and so beset by a raft of personal issues that we are a sometimes a large part of the management of their life.
The third group are sometimes the easiest - and sometimes the hardest – to support. Easiest because many are relieved to hand over their problems to us and will allow us to hold their hand through their resolution. Hardest, because many lose or sell their phone, lose their money, forget their passwords and appointments, are impatient, fall out with everyone or struggle with addiction.
We hope we are patient with all, we believe we build up a trusting relationship with most – and we see some who get there in the end.
We know that the best way to ensure people flourish is to know they always have somewhere safe to return to when they need it.
We don’t close cases, we stick around alongside the people we support for whatever they need to continue the complex journey out of crisis.