Helping people into further support

Our individual skills, passions and interests are often the very things that make us feel human and resilient.

But these may be the first parts of someone’s life that are forgotten when they become homeless, and we know that this can contribute to feelings of isolation and poor mental health.

Our recovery programme encourages people to develop essential skills and express themselves through art, music and discussion.

Art is a great way of helping people who have experienced trauma. Having access to these creative outlets can have a really positive effect on their recovery.

It also gives people the chance to build confidence and skills in a safe environment that they can take forward into the future.

Man painting

The Skills and Opportunities service has been able to support many people in gaining employment or beginning training opportunities across the hospitality, construction and advertising sectors.

Our programme of groups and events also includes:

  • Weekly art therapy group sessions and weekly drop-in art sessions with a qualified art therapist;
  • Art sessions and music workshops taking place in our weekly women only space to encourage these women to express themselves through art and have the chance to be heard;
  • Regular weekly Skills and Opportunities surgeries with one-on-one training, job interviews and CV sessions at Adelaide Street and St Martin’s House;
  • Our weekly Walk & Talk group, which is an opportunity for our staff, volunteers and the people we support to get outside during their lunch hour for time to chat and improve well-being in the fresh air;
  • Gardening sessions at St Martin’s House.