Day Centre services from HARP in Westcliff on Sea

When facing homeless, or in the cycle of poverty, the HARP Day Centre is Westcliff on Sea is an organisation that can be contacted for help. They provide information on meals and temporary housing for the homeless, and offer food and benefit advice to residents on a low income. The services will be customised to meet the specific needs of the client, with some access to emergency services available.

People that drop in at the Westcliff on Sea Day Centre can receive a free hot meal. In addition to that, they can meet with a social worker who will offer them advice on their crisis. Any information given to them is confidential, and the staff are aware of numerous services that are available in Southend on the Sea.

If the individual is homeless, then they can get help in locating and moving into a new temporary accommodation as part of Learning for Life. This will usually be a short term shelter in the Westcliff on Sea area. Then, once the person is stable, they can access other programmes to help them gain independently living.

The team partners with the individual to help them rebuild their lives, and housing is key to that. The aim of HARP is to always give the homeless client the right support they need.

The charity shop in Westcliff on Sea, which is at 420 London Road, is open to people from the community. It sells clothes, furniture, and other household items. There are other services available at the shop as well.

The HARP programme not only allows people to buy the goods they need for a lower price, but the money collected at the charity shop is used to fund the assistance they offer, whether it is a food parcel or the short term housing. The shop can also give work experience to people in Southend on the Sea that need it, as they can be employed or volunteer there.

Support is available at the drop in centre. There are the services above, and much more. Residents that drop in are given clothing, food, or a meal if they need it. Then, based on an assessment that is done, referrals are given to address other needs, whether that is applications to benefits or couselling.

The aim is to help the client gain an income and long term stability. Much of this is offered by the HARP Day Centre with other Westcliff on Sea agencies. As an example, they will help people that are unemployed improve IT skills. There is even support for substance mis-users or ex-offenders, namely the RESTART programme.

Anyone threatened by homelessness can also get support as part of tenancy sustainment. The organisation will meet with the individual and understand their needs. Based on the result of that, they will offer free advice on potential solutions to the crisis. Much of this is part of Acorn Housing, which is when HARP staff work Westcliff on Sea tenants to help them access training, education and employment opportunities. Those will be key to maintaining their tenancy agreement with a landlord.

The main location of the centre is at 59 Valkyrie Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS0 8AW, call 01702 4306. As noted, the charity shop is at 420 London Road, and both locations are open to residents.