A local charity have set themselves the challenge of reducing homelessness in York to an absolute zero.
National charity Shelter recently reported that throughout the entirety of last year, more than 100 York residents slept rough on any given night— it’s a shocking statistic and marker of a society and community that isn’t working properly. What’s even more shocking is that without the work of local carers and charities, that number would be even higher.
Restore York are one such example, since taking on the lofty ambition of ending homelessness in the city, they have transformed life for the most isolated members of our community. In 2022 alone, they found homes for 81 residents, meaning that without their vital intervention, the number on the streets would be almost double!
Restore cover all aspects of recovery and reintegration for their residents, rather than simply moving on after they find an initial roof for a resident they’ve helped, they stick around until that person rediscovers genuine stability in their life. They are each allocated a personalised support package and housing support worker, who helps them work towards specific goals and targets for months. It means that those 81 people who they assisted will become part of York’s community again for the rest of their lives.
Part of their programme involves providing education-counselling and introducing them to new hobbies — one of the biggest causes of homelessness is social isolation, as residents have no safety net to fall back on, they don’t know how or where to get help. Restore aim to combat this directly, by understanding the impact that long periods of social exclusion and isolation can have on the residents they assist — through regular meals and social activities, they begin to form links with the wider community.
Restore York’s initiatives work like a ladder carrying residents back into the world.
You can keep up to date with the work of Restore York at www.restoreyork.co.uk where you can read more about getting involved.
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