Telephone: 0117 914 1188, Fax: 0117 914 1189, Minicom: 0117 914 1191

Opening times:

Monday	10.00-3.30
Tuesday	10.00-3.30
Wednesday	12.00-3.30
Thursday	10.00-3.30
Friday	10.00-3.30

The following agencies work at the Hub:

• Avon Health Authority

• Benefits Agency

• Bristol City Council - Housing Services, Social Services

• Bristol Cyrenians

• Employment Service

• Learning Partnership West

• Shelter

The Hub is a multi agency project providing a single point of access to a number of organisations able to provide help and advice to people in housing crisis.

They aim primarily to give advice to people in housing need whom the local authority has no duty to rehouse - for example single people or couples with no children.

They recognise the many and varied needs of people who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or living in insecure accommodation.

The team at the Hub represents many of the agencies that can offer this help.

Bristol Cyrenians are the "front of-house" team who welcome people to the Hub. They can also help people secure emergency/temporary accommodation, private rented, supportive or housing association accommodation. They also offer general advice on welfare benefits, housing and homelessness issues and can make referrals to other agencies in the Hub. They provide accurate information, and explorer various options so that people can make informed decisions. Tel: 0117 922 4803/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7.

Shelter provide a specialist advice and advocacy service for any problems relating to housing or welfare benefits. They offer advice on mortgage or rent problems, applications for benefits and housing, disrepair or other difticulties with a landlord. They also offer help with appeals and challenging decisions made by statutory agencies. Tel: 0117 922 4814/15.

Avon Health Authority link workers enable people to access appropriate health care services. This can range from GP registration to complex issues involving the co-ordination of other agencies. Individual assessments can be made and health advice given. Referrals can also be made to statutory and voluntary agencies such as ACAD (Avon Council on Alcohol and Drugs), the Bristol Drugs Project and Social Services. Tel: 0117 922 4819/20.

The Benefits Agency provide advice and information across the whole range of social security benefits and assists where necessary with the completion of claim forms. They are linked to their mainframe computer system, with access to benefit records. By close liaison with their local neighbourhood office in Portland Square they are able to ease the process of claiming benefits, and can also help their housing benefit colleagues with the faster processing of claims. Tel: 0117 922 4827.

The Employment Service has details of job vacancies and can give general employment or careers advice. They can help with job hunting skills, e.g. help with application forms and CVs. This service has details of local training opportunities on offer, including college-based courses and government funded programmes. They can give advice on starting a business along with information on benefits available during unemployment, or benefits that may still be claimed whilst working. Tel: 0117 922 4824. Link to Priority Careers Page

Connexions West Of England (former LPW) hold information on education opportunities and training to inform people of the options open to them. They provide accurate information on occupations, full and part-time education (higher and further), both here and abroad. People are able to access guidance services, placement programmes and personal action plan interviews. Tel: 0117 922 4825. Link to Priority Careers Page

Bristol City Council Is represented in several ways:

Homelessness Caseworkers are able to assess a person's eligibility for immediate assistance in line with homelessness law. This may result in provision of emergency accommodation and ultimately permanent housing. They can also give advice and assistance with finding temporary and private rented accommodation. Tel: 0117 922 4826/18.

The Deposit Bond Scheme aims to help people gain access to accommodation in the private rented sector. The deposit bond worker is able to issue a guarantee or bond to landlords enabling people to obtain tenancies. All properties undergo a health and safety check and the payment of rent to a landlord is processed quickly. They can also help in filling out forms for housing benefit and can give advice on possible entitlement. Tel: 0117 922 4840.

Housing Benefit provide help in completing forms for housing benefit and give advice on possible entitlement. They provide a fast-track housing benefit service for the Deposit Bond Scheme. Tel: 0117 922 4828.

Bristol City Council Social Services can provide short-term support and put people with longer term needs in touch with a local social services team. They regularly contact GPs, childcare teams, mental health services, hospitals, the Benefits Agency and solicitors to help sort out difficulties. Tel: 0117 922 4821/ 2/ 3.

Web Site: england.shelter.org.uk

48-54 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, Telephone: 0117 954 3567

Open 9.30am - 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.30am - 5pm Thursday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays

162 Queen's Road, Withywood, Bristol. Telephone: 0117 935 9995

Open 9.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

SOFA Project is a non-profitmaking organisation which:

- Sells second hand furniture at cheap prices to low income households.

- Collects donations of household furniture

You can buy furniture at SOFA if you are:

- On state benefit

- Reliant on state pension

- A student or student nurse

- Disabled

- Claiming family credit

- On a training scheme

- In low paid work

Important Message for Landlords and Dealers

SOFA does not exist to furnish accommodation on the cheap. They do not consider landlords legitimate customers. Dealers are not welcome.

Important Message for Donors

SOFA cannot always accept your donations. Appliances can be repaired if you label them with the fault. Sometimes SOFA are forced to refuse items due to a lack of storage space.

Collections & Deliveries

As SOFA collects throughout the county of Avon, the vans can only go to certain areas on certain days. The list below is a rough guide by Postal

Areas to when you can expect them in your area:

North Bristol - Monday and / or Friday (BS1, BSZ BS6, BS7)

West Bristol - Tuesday and / or Friday (BS8, BS9, BS1O, BS11)

South Bristol - Wednesday and / or Friday (BS3, BS4, BS13, BS14)

East Bristol - Thursday (BS5)

Deliveries

These follow the same pattern as collections except areas in Central Bristol (BS1, BS2, BS3,BS4, BS5, BS6) receive deliveries every day.

SOFA Project Price Guide (maximum price £60)
All appliances come with a one month repair, replace or refund guarantee.

• Are you 16 or 17 and homeless?

• Do you need help finding somewhere to live?

• Would you like some support to help you manage in your new place?

• You might be entitled to this help under the Children Act, from Social Services.

Social Services have to ask you what you want and can help with hostels, supported lodgings or your own flat. They will not make you go into a children's home. Don't be put off asking for help because it's social services.

• But I haven't been in care.

It doesn't matter. Under section 17 they have a duty to help you if you are in need, and to provide accommodation under section 20(3), if you are homeless, 16 or 17 and are a 'child in need' whose welfare is likely to be seriously prejudiced.

• What does that mean?

If your emotional, physical or intellectual development is likely to be affected by your situation. Being homeless is bad for your health in lots of ways - you may not be able to sleep or eat well or get on with your life properly. Many people become homeless because of abuse or violence or being thrown out of home - in all these cases you are 'in need'.

• I was in care when I was young for a while but returned home - do I come under this part of the Act?

Yes, section 20 is for anyone who needs help and is under 18.

• I was in care after my 16th birthday - do I come under this part of the Act?

Yes, if you are under 18. You can also get help from Social Services under section 24 of the Act until you are 21.

• Confused?

Get an adult you trust or an advice worker to help you. Don't forget, if you are homeless you are probably a child in need.

2. At Social Services:

- Ask to see a social worker, if possible one with responsibility for your age group.

- Don't be put off by the first person that you meet - remember that you have a right to a proper interview.

- Ask for a child in need assessment under Section 20(3) of the Children Act - use the form on the back of this leaflet to help you.

- At first you might not get an interview. Lots of social workers don't know about this part of the Act, but you do - so don't give up.

3. Your ‘Child in Need’ interview:

Explain to the social worker as much as possible about your situation or as much as you feel able.

Throughout your interview:

- Remember that you have a right to be heard

- Remember that what you say should be believed

- Remember that you can be helped without your parents agreeing - Social Services don't have to contact your parents if you don't want them to. Sorting things out with your family so you can go back isn't their only duty to you - if you can't return home or don't want contact with your family, be clear about this arid don't be pressured into doing something you don't want to.

4. Ask for a copy of your assessment in writing because...

It might help you make sure that you get the right service. Some Social Services might try and say you're not a child in need because they don't have much money - if you ask them to write down why they think you're not in need, then you can challenge them properly.

5. So you're a child in need. What now?

6. Getting Somewhere to Live

Make sure you tell them clearly what you want - a hostel place for a while or your own flat.

What to do if you are offered a children's home or nothing:

- If this is okay for a while, then fine.

- If not, then tell social services it's not what you want - you want more independence.

Social Services have a duty to draw up a plan explaining how you are going to be prepared for independence. Get an advice worker to help you tell them what you want included.

7. Want Your Own Council Flat?

• You may have a right to this from the housing department - get an advice worker to help you ask for this.

• Social Services can also ask the housing department for your own place under the Children Act (section 27) - ask them to sort this out for you.

• Get an advice worker to help you go through what you need - supported hostels, bed and breakfast, supported landladies etc.

8. What about support?

Support means a bit of help sorting your bills out, helping you budget your money, or helping you deal with any problems you might have.

You can get an advice worker to help you decide what is best for you. If you don't want a social worker, Social Services can ask a range of people to help you apart from social workers.

If in doubt, ask an advice worker to help you sort out the best people for you.

9. What if I'm not listened to?

Get an advice worker to help you make a complaint.

You can call Dean Crescent any time of day or night on 0117 987 2055.

Dean Crescent is for you if you are aged 16 or over and are:

- Female

- Sleeping rough

- In fear of violence and abuse at home

- Experiencing harassment

- Sleeping on a friend’s or relatives floor

At Dean Crescent you can get:

- Your own room that is safe and secure

- A women-only environment

- A listening ear

- Time and Space to think

- Help to take the next step

- Advice on housing, benefits and health

- Complete confidentiality

- Access if you are disabled

You can call Dean Crescent any time of day or night on 0117 987 2055.

The house is at the junction of Dean Crescent and St Johns Road, near the Asda Car Park in Bedminster.

Dean Crescent has no facilities for children.

If you have children and need accommodation, contact:

Bristol City Council’s Advice Shop on 0117 922 2280 during office hours, or in an emergency out of hours call the police on 0117 927 7777.

Web Site: www.novas.org

Wayahead is at 58-59 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0ER

Telephone: 0117 317 8800
Fax: 0117 317 8849

Wayahead is a small organisation set up in 1982 to provide homes for single young people and they now house over 100 people.

They manage shared houses for temporary accommodation and self-contained permanent move-on accommodation.

If you are age between 16 and 25 years old, are homeless or you feel it is time for you to live independently and would like to live in the East Bristol area, contact them as they may be able to help you.

You can drop into the office or give them a ring. If there is no-one in just leave a message and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

You will be given an application form to complete, and you will also be asked to provide a name and address of a referee who is not a relative.

You will then be asked to go in to their offices for a formal interview at our offices. If their accommodation is suitable for you, your name will be put onto the waiting list.

When a room becomes available they will make you an offer. Most houses are for four people although some are larger. Each person has their own room but kitchens and bathrooms are shared by everyone in the house.

Wayahead aims to house young single people on a temporary basis (usually at least a year) working with them to secure a permanent tenancy with Wayahead, other local Housing Associations or Bristol City Council.

Wayahead offers a level of support and advice to all the young people involved in the project.

The charge for your accommodation is payable on a weekly basis. This payment includes:

* Your accommodation fee

* Water Rates

* Gas and electricity charges

Even if you are entitled to housing benefit you will not get this whole amount covered, so whatever your income you will have to pay at least part of this charge.

A licence agreement must be signed allowing you to live in one of our properties. This explains Wayahead's responsibilities and what is expected of you. Breaking any part of this agreement could lead to you losing your room.

Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. Register Number 23964R

Web Site: www.ebyha.org.uk

Tel: 0117 925 1811

Fax: 0117 929 3290

Missing Link is a women only organisation which provides temporary and permanent housing for single homeless women who have mental health needs and are looking for support.

You may be homeless, living in temporary accommodation or in housing that is inappropriate for your mental health needs. You may be leaving institutional care, or psychiatric hospital.

If you are looking for housing, have mental health needs and feel you need support, Missing Link can provide a choice. You can get in touch with them yourself - you do need to be referred.

They have temporary shared housing which is for women who will benefit from living in a shared house and have the potential to live independently in the community. Women stay in the hostels for about two years.

They also have permanent tenancies in self contained flats with support for up to three years for women who wish to live alone.

They can sometimes provide flexible move-in, such as gradual move from hospital to shared housing/flats with ongoing appropriate support.

They have eight fully furnished houses in Bristol, with between three and five women sharing. Each woman has her own bedroom and shares the kitchen, bathroom and sitting room with the other women in the house.

Each resident has a support worker who, as part of a care plan package, can provide practical and emotional support based on the individual woman's needs. For example, a support worker may help with budgeting, cooking, helping access education, voluntary work or drop-in groups, as well as listening and befriending. We can also access support from the community, such as a day hospital placement, CPN allocation or formal counselling.

Missing Link’s Housing Officers provide practical support with move-in, such as help with applying for appropriate benefits and providing residents with information. They can offer general housing advice including help with securing permanent move-on accommodation. A Housing Officer is allocated to each house and holds regular meetings to discuss tenancy issues such as maintenance requests and day-to-day living issues. There are no residential workers and we do not provide evening or weekend cover. Rent charges include all bills and most women receive help from Housing benefit to pay their rent.

The Floating Support Scheme provides permanent tenancies in self-contained flats in the Bristol area. The Floating Support Workers provide support to each tenant for up to 3 years. The level and kind of support will depend on the needs of the resident and might include:

• Setting up a package of care and support

• Help with maintaining the tenancy

• Regular review of mental health needs

• Liaison with other agencies

• Buying furniture and equipment

• Application for Social Fund Grant to buy furniture

• Advice on budgeting, paying rent and bills

• Information on and introduction to local resources, clubs and social activities

• Information on employment, training and voluntary work

• On-going practical and emotional support

There is a high level of support available at the beginning of a tenancy which is gradually withdrawn until the tenant is managing the tenancy without the need for additional support.

Missing Link house women from different backgrounds and experiences such as class, race, sexuality and mental health and expect women to try to understand and respect each other's differences.

Missing Link are not prepared to house women whose prejudices will cause distress to other women. Where a woman also has an alcohol or drugs problem they would want to negotiate and establish an agreed management/recovery programme with her.

If you are looking for housing with support or would like to refer someone phone the Missing Link office on Bristol 0117 925 1811 or fax (0117) 9293290.

They will discuss what your needs are and, if appropriate, you will be offered an interview.

Missing Link is registered as Bristol Missing Link Ltd under the Industrial Provident Societies Act 1965. Register No. 2421 SR. The Association is a member of the National Federation of Housing Associations

Web Site: www.missinglinkhousing.co.uk

Telephone: 0117 907 1100

Fax: 0117 907 101, Minicom: 0117 907 1103

Redwood House is a self-catering hostel for homeless men who are between the ages of 18 and 65.

Redwood has recently undergone major refurbishment and now offers a high standard of accommodation with 35 single and 3 shared bedrooms.

The hostel is emergency access, is home to 41 men and staffed 24 hours each day.

The hostel only offers temporary accommodation and there is an expectation that residents will actively seek permanent accommodation with the support of Redwood staff.

Admission Criteria

Any homeless man between 18 - 65 can be referred by an agency, for example the HUB or Day Centre.

Once offered an interview, they will need to contact someone else for a positive violence and arson reference.

Booking in times:

They are open from 8.OOam and can offer interviews for vacancies between 1O.3Oam and up to 6.Oopm at present.

Aims of the Hostel

The main aim of the hostel is to provide short term accommodation, with the help, support and independence each resident needs to move to the future home of their choice.

They are committed to their Equal Opportunities Policy and do not tolerate the harassment or abuse of residents or staff in any form. They have access to a 24 hour interpreting service.

They also offer:

- A youth worker who provides additional support and activities and runs a variety of groups for men aged 18 - 25

- A Training, Education and Employment Worker who assists and supports men in finding paid or voluntary work or accessing training and education, and also runs 3 drop in sessions at Redwood House each week.

- Resettlement Workers actively help residents to prepare, find and move into alternative more permanent accommodation

118 Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8YA, Tel 0117 955 3446

Download a leaflet here

From Monday 23rd October 2006

Self Help Community Housing Association has changed its opening times:

Monday 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 5pm
Friday 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 4pm

They will not be open to the public over the lunch period of 12 - 2pm. Answering machine messages can be left during this time.

Referrals to Self Help Community Housing Association for Housing and Support can still be made Monday - Thursday.

They will no longer accept referrals on Fridays

Tel: 0845 2700 669
Fax: 0845 2700 605

What do Self Help Housing have to offer?

Self Help Housing provide temporary accommodation for homeless people.

They provide single rooms sharing kitchen, bathroom and living room, usually with 2 or 3 other people. Most of their accommodation is for single people sharing, but they have some self-contained premises and family dwellings.

The number of vacancies that they have varies weekly, so they ask people to keep in contact with them on Tuesdays.

They also provide advice and assistance in referring you to other relevant organisations.

You can apply if you are:

- Sleeping rough or in a night shelter

- Living in a hostel, bed & breakfast or lodging house

- Leaving prison, hospital or other institution

- Living in a room with a friend or relative with no suitable alternative

- Suffering from physical or mental abuse/sexual or racial harassment

- Under notice to quit

- A young person leaving home or care

How do you apply?

- You can apply Monday to Thursday

- You need to come in person

- Allocation is from l0.30am- l.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

- There is no preference to those who come earlier. All applicants are considered equally.

- You will be interviewed by a member of staff

- You will then be asked to ring them to see if they have been able to find you somewhere to live

Or apply online at: www.selfhelpha.co.uk

What happens Next?

If Self Help have found you somewhere to live, arrangements will be made for you to view the property which you may accept or decline.

If Self Help have not found you anywhere to live they ask you to come again on the following Tuesday to apply for accommodation.

Self Help Community Housing Association is an Equal Opportunities Organisation. It is committed to actively opposing racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination faced by black people and those from other ethnic minority groups, women, lesbians, gay men and disabled people.

Web Site: www.selfhelpha.co.uk

Telephone: 0117 317 7600

Fax: 0117 317 7619

Single homeless people aged 16-25 (up
to 30 if disabled) who require supported
accommodation with access to training
for a period of up to two years.

Telephone: 0117 373 5736

Fax: 0117 373 5706

For young people aged 16 - 21 years. Accommodation for those who would otherwise be homeless and young care leavers. Counselling and support, learning and community involvement.

Telephone : 0117 977 4528

Offers supported accommodation for 15 young
women aged 16-25 who are pregnant or have a child under the age of 2. The accommodation consists of one shared house for 5 women and 10 self- contained flats. There is a keywork system and the support offered includes life skills and help around parenting skills.

Telephone: 935 2881

Young Homeless Help, advice, filling in forms, 'message home' scheme. Some rooms in shared houses might be available, but not usually on the first visit to the office. 16-25 year olds.

Telephone: 0117 924 4444

Fax: 0117 373 5706

Email: swbhp@mail.nch.org.uk

Web Site: www.nightstop-uk.org

Provides safe emergency accommodation for homeless young people aged 16-25 exclusively in the homes of approved volunteers until appropriate permanent housing is secured.