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Several services are provided by Deptford Reach to the low income in London. The agency will not only offer short term support, such as food or health care, but they also help clients in maximising benefits or getting placed into private sector housing in London. The charity has experts at the main centre that provide free advice to clients.

Preventing homelessness and evictions is an aim of Deptford Reach. They partner with landlords of private sector housing and receive funds from donations, and the money is used to solve housing problems.

London residents sleeping rough can be placed into hostels in the city. The staff partner with landlords to help families on a low income find affordable housing. There can be assistance for rent deposits, or signposting is given to other boroughs so that the individual can apply for council support.

The financial aid is from the Private Rented Sector Scheme. This was created as a programme to address rent needs. It is used by Deptford Reach to help prevent future homelessness as well.

There are trained housing advisers at Deptford Reach that offer advice. Another key service is on helping people apply for benefits, or maximize what they are receiving now. This is all done to help clients maintain their tenancy agreements. Staff will also help families explore various housing payment programmes, and find services that offer emergency rent help.

Deptford Reach has employment and educational skill development as well. There are sessions on a different employment type needs that are required in London. Whether someone is low income and needs a higher income, or they are jobless, the scheme may be available. Examples of what is offered are below.

• Basic IT skills have classes on internet usage or how to use software.
• Job placement, ranging from CV creation to job search classes are held.
• Classes on customer service.
• Deptford Reach has classes on developing Languages, including for immigrants such as English as a Second Language.
• Other employment workshops are catering, hospitality, volunteering for experience, and more.

All of these job programmes are run with other organisations as well. Partners are Southwark College, St Giles’ Trust, and other educational programmes.

Food and free meals are provided from the Deptford Reach cafe. If someone does not have the time or ability to drop in at the centre, then the organisation will pass out vouchers to the food banks that are located across all London boroughs. The meals served will be lunches that have coffee, free tea, sandwiches, and soup as well.

Other practical support is provided from the Deptford Reach drop in centre too. There may be clothing, or the homeless can use the showers on site. Other goods include personal hygiene items or sing-posting to other resources, such as council welfare schemes.

Free health care is arranged by Deptford Reach. Clinics are held throughout the year at their centre. There will be nurses, dentists, opticians, and chiropodists that drop in to care for people in poverty. Anyone that needs a check up can drop in. The medical team will give individuals basic screening health checks. In addition to that, there will be prescribe medications giving to them to take care of conditions that the nurse feels is a priority.

As part of the health care services there is also mental health support. Many homeless from the area often use this service, as it is given by trained counsellors. Not only are sessions held at the center, but Deptford Reach can signpost clients to other programmes as well.

The London based charity offers many services from their centre at 64 Speedwell Street. Or call Deptford Reach at 020 8692 6548.