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SURVIVALHANDBOOKFOR HOMELESS AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN BRISTOLh Survival Handbook.indd 1Edition142/9/14 14:10:49

Researched and produced byCaring in BristolTelephone: 0117 924 tol.org.ukCaring in Bristol would particularly like to thank thefollowing for their contributions to, and support of, the 14thSurvival Handbook:Bristol Drugs ProjectProduced in Partnership betweenCaring in Bristol and Safer Bristol.14th Issue – September 20142h Survival Handbook.indd 22/9/14 14:10:50

ContentsIntroductionAccommodationFinding somewhereto live:Emergency Fund:Bristol City CouncilArea Offices:Sleeping Rough:Hostels & ShelteredHousing:EmergencyAccommodation:Women OnlyAccommodation:Supported Housing:Young People:Bristol ice & Support:Statutory Services:484960121415Employment &Training:Libraries:616616Seasonal:Charity Shops:Helplines:Animal Welfare:67687072Map and Key:75Index:788Day Centres:Food:18-2021-24Health:Dental:Family Planning26-3030h Survival Handbook.indd 3and EmergencyContraception:Local SpecialisedHealth Services:Drugs Advice fromBDP:Drug and AlcoholServices:Mental Health:32/9/14 14:10:50

IntroductionThis booklet is designed to be a first point of supportand information for anyone finding themselveshomeless or at risk of becoming homeless in theBristol area. It provides information on many of theservices available to homeless people in the centralareas of the city.If you do not have a local connection with Bristol you willfind it very difficult to access help in finding housing in thecity. Many of the organisations represented in the guideare places where you can go for help and advice withouthaving made a previous appointment. In many cases theywill be able to help you immediately. However in somecases they may need to re-direct you to services moreappropriate to your needs.All the information in this booklet was correct at thetime of publishing, however, it may become out of datequite quickly. Please let us have your comments andsuggestions for what to include or amend in our nextedition which will be in July 2014. Information shouldbe sent to Caring in Bristol, Julian House, Little BishopStreet, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 9JF or email: ed.reed@caringinbristol.org.ukWe hope you find this information useful.4h Survival Handbook.indd 42/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationFINDING SOMEWHERE TO LIVEBristol is a regional capital and although it has goodservices for homeless people, they are badly overstretched. The number of people looking for emergencyaccommodation or hostel places is often greater than thenumber of places that are available.If you are looking for accommodation and are interestedin renting privately, good places to look for details areThe Bristol Post (Friday), Trade-It magazine, adverts innewsagents’ windows, letting and estate agents. It canbe difficult to access private accommodation becauselandlords often need a deposit. If you are currentlysupervised by probation, your probation officer should beable to refer you to housing services directly.Under the homelessness legislation - Part 7 of theHousing Act 1996, certain categories of household, suchas families with children and households that includesomeone who is vulnerable, for example because ofpregnancy, old age, or physical or mental disability, havea priority need for accommodation. Housing authoritiesmust ensure that suitable accommodation is availablefor people who have priority need, if they are eligible forassistance and unintentionally homeless. This is knownas the main homelessness duty. The housing authoritycan provide accommodation in their own stock or arrangefor it to be provided by another landlord, for example, ahousing association or a landlord in the private rentedh Survival Handbook.indd 552/9/14 14:10:50

Accommodationsector. Simply having served a prison sentence does notmean an individual is in priority need.If settled accommodation is not immediately available,accommodation must be made available in the short termuntil the applicant can find a settled home, or until someother circumstance brings the duty to an end, for example,where the household voluntarily leaves the temporaryaccommodation provided by the housing authority. A settledhome to bring the homelessness duty to an end could includethe offer of a suitable secure or introductory tenancy in alocal authority’s housing stock (or nomination for a housingassociation assured tenancy) allocated under Part 6 of the1996 Act or the offer of a suitable tenancy from a privatelandlord made by arrangement with the local authority.If applicants are homeless but do not have a priority need,or if they have brought homelessness on themselves, thehousing authority must ensure that they are provided withadvice and assistance to help them find accommodationfor themselves - but the authority does not have to ensurethat accommodation becomes available for them.Emergency FundBristol City Council offers a Community Care Grant(emergency loan) that can be claimed once every12 months. The grants awarded are generally 30 50 and charges zero interest, but are designed foremergencies only.6h Survival Handbook.indd 62/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationEmergency Fund Tel: 0800 923 0101 / 01179224500Website: Bristol.gov.uk/lcpfIf you want to apply for council housing, you can applythrough Bristol City Council Customer Service Pointsat the following Bristol places:FishpondsRobinson House, Hockeys Lane, Fishponds BS16 3HLHartcliffeSymes House, Peterson Square, Hartcliffe BS13 0BDCentral - Phoenix CourtBond Street South, Bristol BS1 3PHRidingleazeRidingleaze House, Lawrence Weston BS11 0QESouthmeadSouthmead House, Greystoke Ave, Southmead BS10 6BQ1 Jamaica StreetKingsdown, Bristol BS2 8JPTel: 0117 924 6415ECHG supported housing project in Central Bristolproviding accommodation, resettlement and supporth Survival Handbook.indd 772/9/14 14:10:50

Accommodationservices to men and women aged 18-65. Single roomswith shared kitchen, bathrooms and bedsits. Dogsaccepted but muzzles required. 56 single rooms onsite. Referrals taken via The HAT and Outreach only.Self catering. Staffed 24 hours. Weekly service chargeof 12.88.Ron Jones House22-30 Jamaica Street Bristol, BS2 8JWTel: 0117 942 5500www.elimhousing.co.uk/ron-jones-houseA supported housing scheme providing temporaryaccommodation for 42 single homeless men and women18 . Clients have a sole occupancy of a room and shareother facilities such as kitchen, bathroom, toilet and loungewith 6-7 other residents.Applicants should have low support needs and be willingto engage with the support service provided. Applicantsare referred onto the waiting list via Bristol City Council’sAccomodation Service team, or via Phoenix Court.PennywiseTel: 0117 9704548 Text your name to: 07435 974651Email k8h Survival Handbook.indd 82/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationWorried About Your Money?Age 25 , renting from Bristol City Council or a HousingAssociation, and either in your first social housing tenancy,or had recent employment changes? If so, Pennywisecan give you free and confidential advice tailored toyour circumstances. We’ll check; you’re getting the rightbenefits, your household budget is affordable, you’regetting the best deal for your bills and what your bankingand borrowing options are.Our mentors will meet you at a convenient time and location,and work with you until you’re confident and in control ofyour money.SLEEPING ROUGHSleeping rough is dangerous. If you have no other choice: Sleep where there are other people Sleep on a blanket/sleeping bag, a bench orcardboard. Never sleep directly on the ground Keep your head, hands and feet well covered and warm Eat or drink something hot before you go to sleep asthis will help your body keep warm Alcohol lowers your body heat and is dangerouswhen you get cold Use this handbook to find helph Survival Handbook.indd 992/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationHOSTELSPlaces for People27a Stonebridge Park, Fishponds, Bristol BS5 6RPTel: 0117 951 7763Open 24 hours for men aged 18 . Pets welcome (only twoin hostel at any time). High support 4 months stay housingscheme for single homeless men with multiple needs.Not direct access - referrals ONLY.Emmaus BristolBackfields House, Upper York Street, St PaulsBristol BS2 8WFTel: 0117 954 0886Email: g.ukAn 18 bed (en-suite) community, age 18 . Offers a bedand support to make a change. Offers work in theirworkshop, house or garden (training given). No directaccess – referral only. If you have no support worker, ringto arrange a visit.10h Survival Handbook.indd 102/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationStreet WiseTel: 07827 979647 for intial contactTackles begging and other street based anti-socialbehaviour, but can also offer help and advice aroundaccommodation, drug treatment and employment/education.The Compass Centre1 Jamaica Street, Kingsdown, Bristol BS2 8JPTel: 0117 944 0581 Fax: 0117 944 0582.The Compass Centre is Bristol’s Homelessness assessmentproject with services for rough sleepers and homelesspeople that include Outreach, the homeless health centre,and opportunities for recreation and education.Located on the ground floor of Jamaica St hostel. TheCompass Centre is open from Monday to Friday 9am to5pm and in the evening for night service users only (referralto night service by outreach team). Call 0117 944 0581 formore details of any Compass services.Julian Trust NightshelterLittle Bishop Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 9JFTel: 0117 924 4604h Survival Handbook.indd 11112/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationJulian Trust Nightshelter contOpen 9.30pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday toSaturday for men and women aged 18 . No pets. Guestentrance off Wilder Street. Free hot meal. 18 bed spacesand showers available on first come, first served basis.Logos House – Salvation ArmyWade Street, Bristol BS2 9ELTel: 0117 955 2821 Fax: 0117 954 1595Logos House is a 79 Bed Homelessness Centre whichis open for men aged 18 , 24 hours per day. No pets.Applications to the centre are made via The HAT andOutreach teams. Outside office hours referrals are viathe Emergency Duty Team who can be contacted viaany police station. Accommodation is en-suite and soleoccupancy. There is also a canteen for hot meals.Logos House also offer an Access Substance MisuseService for people who are currently homeless. Thisis called the Bridge Programme and offers residentialpreparation work, and detox support. The Bridge is a 14Bed Unit on the same site as Logos. Detox is open toboth male and female clients.12h Survival Handbook.indd 122/9/14 14:10:50

AccommodationWOMEN ONLY ACCOMMODATIONMen and women can contact WISH 0117 903 8632 or VictimSupport 0845 30 30 900. For women suffering domesticabuse contact Next Link. The Crisis Response Workerscan offer immediate help with your situation including:someone to talk things over with; forming a safety plan;legal; protection; working with police to keep you safe;supporting your children; finding a safe place to stay.If you need to leave home in an emergency: call BristolNext Link Domestic Abuse Services on 0117 925 0680 orthe National Domestic Hotline on 0808 2000 247.A directory of domestic abuse services is available fromBristol Domestic Abuse Forum on 0117 925 0680.Crisis Centre MinistriesLadies Night Shelter – Spring of Hope71a West Street, Old Market, Bristol BS2 0BXTel: 0117 330 1230 (Enquries)Mobile: 07990 715691 (Referral)Ladies Night Shelter, is open Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Sunday 10:00pm until 8:00am. On offer, asafe environment for women, accommodation availablefor 12 women per night.h Survival Handbook.indd 13132/9/14 14:10:50