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Supporting our frontline during Covid19 – James’ story
James Burns, an Environmental Officer in Liverpool, answered our call for extra support on the frontline during lockdown, to help us continue delivering important services for customers. He tells us about his time as Interim Service Delivery Manager at our Powerhouse service in Liverpool. When lockdown began, the Environment Services team were stood down until
Read moreArmed Forces Day: Jason’s road to recovery thanks to The Beacon
On Armed Forces Day, Jason Zerafa shares his story of how The Beacon has helped him rediscover his identity and he’s now helping others at the supported housing service for veterans during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Beacon is our homeless veterans’ accommodation in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. I served with 4 Rifles Regiment and moved
Read moreEmployability Day 2020: How we’re helping customers learn new skills and find employment even through lockdown
To mark Employability Day, Gail Jenson, Riverside’s lead for Employment and Training, talks about the change in the way they deliver services to Riverside customers who are looking for training opportunities or work. As well as supporting those who have been affected by the recent Covid-19 situation and helping them to find direction. Before the
Read moreResettlement options for people who’ve been sleeping rough during COVID-19
The Government has brought forward funding to provide 6,000 additional housing units for people brought inside from rough sleeping during the COVID-19 crisis. More than half of these are going to be made available in the next 12 months, with additional ‘revenue’ funding also available to provide support. Riverside support over 3,000 people who are
Read moreEverything changed when I was referred to Hardwick House
Two years ago, I didn’t want to live. I’d go to bed and pray that I wouldn’t wake up. I was only 42 but I’d led a destructive, dysfunctional life. The things I’d done – drug dealing, violence, substance abuse and sleeping rough – were haunting me. But a chance meeting with a fellow veteran
Read moreWhat can Riverside do for customers who are in fuel poverty?
To mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, Riverside’s Michael Anderson talks about how we help customers affected by fuel poverty. National Energy Action (NEA) estimate that around four million UK households are in fuel poverty and are unable to afford to live in a warm home. With winter around the corner, Riverside want to ensure that
Read moreFinding the Spirit of Christmas
How working with people affected by homelessness in Guildford and cooking a meal for 40 people helps Oliver understand the true meaning of Christmas. “It’s often the people who have least to celebrate who make the greatest effort.” This Christmas, 2019, will be the third year in which Oliver Topple has chosen to spend Christmas
Read moreSteve’s story “I was homeless, living in a tent” – now he’s starting to lead a normal life…
A 25-year addiction to heroin had plagued Steve Rodda’s life. The 51-year-old from Guildford has been kidnapped, attacked with an axe and has slept rough in a tent. But with support from Riverside, Steve is starting to lead the normal life he’s always craved. “I was about 18 when I started doing drugs. I smoked
Read moreRiverside helped me when nobody else would…
After more than two years struggling with mounting debt, and barely managing to scrape together her weekly rent, Riverside customer Linsey reached a crisis point. With two children to look after and rent arrears, she knew she needed help… and Riverside came to the rescue… “Each week I struggled to get enough to pay the
Read moreAn apprenticeship helped Karren find the perfect balance between learning and earning
I was at a cross road in my career and needed to do something very different. I had been a volunteer for Mungo’s – working with rough sleepers in Waterloo delivering cookery workshops for 12 months and decided to apply for a support worker post at King George’s. My first impressions of the scheme were
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