Click on the link to watch the podcast as RSAP Team Leader Rhiannon Fieldson talks about the impact the programme is having.
Fighting homelessness and rough sleeping in Greater Manchester has been a collaborative effort over the last few years.
And the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP), alongside the GM Housing First and other programmes are making a real difference across the region.
RSAP, a partnership between Great Places, Jigsaw and Riverside, provides flexible and trauma-informed support for individuals and couples who have experiences of rough sleeping across the boroughs of Greater Manchester.
People/couples are supported for two years are then helped to find “move on” accommodation as they continue recover.
The RSAP delivery team has proactively developed positive relationships with delivery partners, which include the six accommodation providers and the eight local authorities across GM, to maximise the positive outcomes for individuals on the programme and to ensure their voices, choices and rights are consistently advocated for.
The support service currently supports people across Greater Manchester, developing meaningful engagement with individuals from the start of their journey in temporary accommodation to prepare for their tenancy, and support them throughout their RSAP tenancy until they feel ready to move on.
The team supports individuals who have very different experiences of rough sleeping which are often interrelated with struggles with substance misuse, mental health and trauma and abuse, which is why consistent and compassionate support can help an individual build an independent life off the streets.
We often work with individuals who have very little engagement with services, and alongside tenancy support, we support individuals in accessing health and community resources, welfare benefits, grants, training and employment at their own pace, to improve their health and wellbeing and promote their independence.
Our project is premised on the understanding that alongside having a safe and secure home, consistent and flexible support from a dedicated support worker, throughout the length of a tenancy, is crucial for individuals with lived experiences of rough sleeping, not only to maintain their tenancy, but to gain confidence and independence as well as develop and nurture valuable links within the local community and (re)build trust in services.
The following journey of Graham (not his real name) who is currently on the RSAP showcases this journey and shows just how important the right support alongside a stable tenancy can be for those who have experiences of rough sleeping.
Graham sees himself as a nomad, he enjoys travelling around and being self-sufficient due to his military background and therefore rarely seeks help from anyone. He also finds it difficult to trust professionals, which is why when he found himself without a home after facing difficult personal circumstances.
He didn’t feel able to, or know how to, reach out for help and became very isolated as a result.
After strong engagement with the local authority’s outreach team, Graham was referred to the RSAP, and after a number of months working with RSAP support to make preparations for his tenancy, Graham moved into his new home.
Graham was impressed with the flat and very happy on the day of the sign-up.
However, over the first month of his tenancy, he struggled to adjust to the change of lifestyle and didn’t feel able to stay at his new home or engage with support.
However, after consistent and flexible engagement (meeting for walks in the local parks and going for coffee), Graham built trust with support and started to express some of the difficulties he was having with adjusting and gradually, with support, became more relaxed in his home.
After a few months, Graham felt more settled at the RSAP flat and has gained confidence in looking after himself and his home, he is now decorating his home and is now registered with a local GP, which is a big achievement for Graham.
Graham often reflects on his many years spent on the streets, between sofa surfing and sleeping in his tent across the borough with pride – that he survived it, but he also expresses just how hard it was and the vulnerable situations he found himself in, and that he’s happy he now has a safe home to come back to.
He said: “Coming from a tent to this place, it’s made me so happy. I can honestly say this feels like a home now - I feel relaxed, I can close that door and forget about the outside world”.
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