Day Center Weekend Provision

Background

We are seeking to identify providers to provide for day centre services on weekends has been developed in response to a lack of suitable services available for people who are engaging & waiting for a move into a service off the streets.

We have identified a building to provide this service from in St Judes. The accommodation will have access to toilets and showers and there will be a kitchen area where food can be prepared. There are areas for seating, eating & an outdoor area. Dogs are allowed in the building and there is a courtyard area for people to smoke in.

We are thinking of having the following criteria for the service

Aims of service

• Provision of day centre services with access to basic facilities (a warm, safe space with food, showers and some basic advice and support);
• A socially supportive environment to engage with people and encourage them to develop confidence & skills & encourage in-reach from other services e.g. Outreach, BDP etc.;
• The service will be referral only form the Outreach team, the Methodist Centre, the Wild Goose and other Shelter Providers in the city.

The service will be targeted towards a groups of people where the 'Leaving the Streets' plan for that person includes having to wait for a place in accommodation to become available.

Objectives

Provision of a warm and secure space with basic facilities when other services are closed - weekends (Saturday & Sunday) 10:30 to 2:30 (plus 30 mins prep & 30 mins clean-up).

Work with food organisations that provide food to provide lunch and light refreshments.

The service will also include activities that encourage people to build confidence and skills and linking people into other services.

Outcomes

 An improvement in the physical health and wellbeing of people referred to the service.

 Improving social integration and skills and confidence of people using the service.

 An improvement in feedback from people who are street homeless on services available.

 Minimum disruption to the local community sited immediately around the accommodation.

Staffing & Services

Commitment to at least four staff on site during sessions, one of whom is the coordinator any one time.

Proposed staff structure -

A coordinator (pro-rata 15 hours per week - 5 hours per week planning, administration and community liaison)

4 staff members (pro-rata 10 hours)

2/3 volunteers per shift to assist staff and assist in food provision/distribution/clothes store

We would expect interested providers to have experience of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the regulations made under it, experience of risk assessing buildings in relation to running services in them, experience of working with vulnerable clients and relevant Safeguarding legislation and procedures in relation to this type of client group.

n.b. If this generates sufficient interest from the market we will need to consider going out for a formal process to purchase this service.