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People facing poverty can get assistance for basic needs from St Petroc’s Society. They provide help from several different schemes and programmes in Cornwall, with an aim of preventing homelessness and hunger. Staff from the charity will also partner with the individual on how they can work toward living independently. Learn more on their services, such as the SmartMove Rent Deposit Scheme or food banks, below.

Most of the services are run from their Resource Centres. This is where the homeless and low income can learn about the assistance provided. The sites are located at the Breadline Centre in Penzance as well as the main Truro office.

People who go to these centres will meet with a volunteer who will give an interview and conduct an assessment of the client’s needs. During this process they will be provided with a free hot meal, clothing, bedding, shower, health care and personal items. Based on the results of the assessment and if the individual is eligible, they will be directed to some form of assistance, and the main services are below.

A shelter is in Cornwall. This is mostly used during the cold weather, and it can get the homeless off the streets and keep them safe. The location of it is at the St Petroc’s Society Truro Resource Centre, and people who stay there will also receive a meal, blanket and partner with a specialist on placement into an affordable private or social housing.

Supported housing scheme from St Petroc’s Society will give a family or individual a home to live in while they address the cause of their hardship, with an aim on stability. The client will be able to get help in locating employment or Cornwall and access job training. During their stay in the short term housing, the prospective tenant will receive ongoing advice and support,  life skills training, budgeting help and more.

As the end of the stay, they may be able to resettle into the Private Sector lease or other local centre. A key worker will help the client with applications for a government housing benefit or the rent deposit bond scheme. Both of these can help ensure the person is able to pay the rent on their new flat in the future, and it will prevent future evictions.

A food bank is available. This will focus on clients, but other people with a referral can also be assisted. The St Petroc’s Society and its volunteers may give a bag of groceries to the hungry person or family, and the free food or meal can help them in a crisis. Or residents can stop by the soup line for an immediate meal.

Partnering with landlords of private housing, the Private Housing Sector Leasing Scheme is an option for clients. The person moving into one of these homes will receive ongoing support from an adviser, and the landlord also partners with St Petroc’s and the tenant in an effort to sustain the tenancy.

At any time, there is a scheme from St Petroc’s Society that can help with the rent deposit. This is part of the SmartMove Bond Scheme, and it is for cash poor families that need to move into a new private accommodation.

Prospective tenants, and landlords that agree to it in the Cornwall area, will have the deposit guaranteed by St Petroc’s. This is for people that have gone through the supported housing and have proven the ability to sustain a future tenancy on their own. The SmartMove Rent Deposit Bond Scheme is an option for single people, lone parents, or even entire families.

Outreach is also available for homeless and rough sleepers. This is part of what churches offer, the  Cornwall Rough Sleeper Partnership, and St Petroc’s Society, among other charities. They partner together to get the person into shelter or hostel, then they may be able to move onto the supported housing programmes noted above. During this time, meals, clothing, and other aid is given to them.

For more information, St Petroc’s Society is centred at 8 City Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2JJ. Call the charity at 01872 264153.