Helping Hand assistance for low income in Blackpool

Helping Hand partners with churches across Lancashire to help the disadvantaged. Most of the services are run from their Community Resource Centre, and this is where residents should stop by for advice and support.

Clients of the agency include the homeless and people living in poverty across the towns of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The centre allows people to drop in for everything from a meal to signposting to benefits or a local food bank in Blackpool or the county. The aim is to help people get back on the path to independent living.

Not only will the organisation allow individuals to drop in, but they also run a bus service that visits the homeless across the region. This will be operated by volunteers. When the bus is in the area, meals and support is provided, even including clothing. This makes it easy for residents to access their programmes.

Helping Hand runs a second hand furniture shop. This allows people to buy gently used items, and the goods sold are used by the charity to generate income for their assistance programmes. There are many goods available, ranging from furniture to starter packs for tenants moving into a new flat in Lancashire.

Some of the practical needs include food and warm clothing. The homeless maybe given blankets if required. But the goal is housing, so the director partners with landlords across Lancashire to help individuals with finding accommodation. If the charity does not have the items they need at the Community Resource Centre, then vouchers to local food banks or other agencies are given.

Free advice is provided by the team. The staff at the Community Resource Centre want to end poverty and impoverishment in the area. They do this by addressing factors such as unemployment or lack of skills. They try to help people find work so that they have a source of income. In some cases, clients may be given employment at the clothing store. They operate as a first step employer, so provide volunteer opportunities as well as paid employment so people gain experience.

Applicants to any programme above will have an assessment done by a Project Coordinator. They oversee all of the outreach services above, and the coordinator relies on volunteers as well to keep these schemes running. The charity is run by people partnering together to assist the vulnerable.

Other Helping Hand partners include statutory organisations, councils in Lancashire, private landlords, churches, and others. They all want clients to reintegrate into the community and gain independent living.

As far as long term assistance, Helping Hand will assist the low income with finding an affordable home to live in. This will also include benefits for housing, local welfare or advice on completing job applications. The staff at the Resource Center will also have information on rent deposit schemes in Lancashire. Or clients get help with Advice about Debt as well as Medical Services.

The main resource centre is at 29-35 Ripon Road in Blackpool. Drop in, or dial 01253 621366 for information.