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There are two main assistance programmes run by The Bridge. The charity will assist with housing needs by coordinating Tenancy Relations Service as well as supportive housing, and those are schemes they offer using their own resources. In addition, as a second service, The Bridge will provide free food as well as energy bill help using funding from the government.

Any family on a low income that is in an emergency should contact Customer Services. This group of well trained staff handle all enquiries and will link the individual with the scheme that can best help them. The type of help given will depend on an assessment that was completed. Whether it is financial assistance from the welfare schemes or housing support, Customer Services will make this referral.

The Bridge can’t meet all requests. So they partner with other charities in Leicestershire. If The Bridge does not offer the programme that a family needs, then Customer Services will let the person know where they can turn to.

Assistance provided by The Bridge

One of the primary schemes is to feed people in poverty. There is a foodbank for the vulnerable in Leicestershire, and it is located at Elim and Baxter Gate Church. So they offer support from there and also free food parcels and serve hot meals at the nearby George’s Fish and Chip Shop. At the same time a person is getting fed, they can use washing facilities at the Bridge to address hygiene needs.

Food parcels, which are free, may have vegetables, soup, meat, beans, diary, packets of pasta, rice and occasionally tea or coffee. Other grocery items may be provided too. The contents of the box depend on donations from the community.

Funds to pay for energy bills are available in partnership with the Leicestershire County Council. The Bridge runs a scheme for the government. It will help people with no heat or that have had their lights turned off.

In order to help families on a low income, there are fuel vouchers given by the charity organisation. They need to be used at the Loughborough Post Office. The vouchers will provide money for the pre-payment of electric or gas meters. If that programme does not work, then find other sources of gas bill or electricity help.

Other financial aid is given by Customer Services as a referral. This can help in an emergency, but the application may take up to one day to be approved. After an assessment has been done, The Bridge may help tenants with rental arrears if they are threatened by homelessness. There is also transportation services, Christmas meals or food, and other aid.

Tenants can get assistance from The Bridge Housing Advice team. A priority is for families threatened by homelessness. The type of help provided will be referrals to financial schemes for rent or electric bills to information on legal rights.

An assessment will be done by the charities Tenancy Relations Officer. They offer advice to people that have a private tenancy. If the individual is in government housing, then they will be linked to the Leicestershire council.

The support given includes the following. The Bridge will tell people how to prevent homelessness, provide information on both rental and mortgage arrears schemes, help with form filling to benefits, and also deal with Anti-social behavior. Other housing advice is also given when needed.

If there is a Young Person in Leicestershire, they can get their housing assistance as part of the Single Access Point scheme. Individuals that are age 16 or 17 can seek advice. The Bridge will normally help the young person overcome their hardship so that they do not go homelessness. If if is relationship building, or general support, the Tenancy Relations Officer will offer it from Singe Access Point.

Independent living is from the Housing Support scheme. Applicant need to be disabled, be substance abusers, or have a mental health issue and have hosing barriers. This scheme from The Bridge will not only give shelter to sleep at, but it also gives tenants the skills and knowledge they need so they can be independent. The Housing Support Scheme covers council tenancys, housing association flats, and private accommodations as well.

What may be giving includes furniture, household items, and financial aid for rent or deposits. The Bridge Housing Support will offer that form of assistance and more.

Any struggling family in Leicestershire County that needs support can call The Bridge. The post is 38 Leicester Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2AG. To ring the Customer Services Team, the phone number is 0300 561 0561.