Tackling homelessness in Swindon

• Supported housing

Find out about Threshold’s supported housing for single people who require a low to medium level of support here (link). There are other organisations providing supported housing for different types and levels of support. For more details on supported housing visit Swindon Borough Council’s website.

• Social housing

Inadequately housed Swindon residents who do not own a home or have sufficient income/savings can apply for social housing through Swindon Borough Council. Social housing offers low rent and a safe and secure tenancy. Swindon has over 10,000 social housing properties, however demand heavily outweighs supply and it can take years to be allocated a home.

To be eligible for a social housing property, you must apply to join the housing register. Once confirmed, you can start bidding for properties. Available properties are advertised online and you can bid for one property a week.

For information on applying for social housing, visit Swindon Borough Council’s website

• Sheltered housing

People who are over 60 who have housing needs and want to live independently, can apply for sheltered housing. People over 50 can apply if they receive disability living allowance. There are over 50 sheltered housing schemes throughout Swindon. For more information and to apply to be placed on the waiting list visit Swindon Borough Council’s website

• Refuge from domestic violence

Paragon offers refuge accommodation in Swindon, with specialist counselling and support for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. T: 01793 610610 / E: ParagonSwindon@theyoutrust.org.uk

For services offering support with domestic abuse, see Domestic Violence section below.

• The Haven Day Centre - welcomes those who are homeless and vulnerable to enjoy a hot breakfast and lunch, hot drinks, shower and laundry facilities, access to computers, phones, internet and a warm space to relax. It is located on Queen’s Drive and open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 2pm. T: 01793 613166
• Big Breakfast Plus - offers a daily hot breakfast at the Pilgrim Centre, Regent’s Circus in Swindon Town Centre, from 7.30am – 9am. E: hello@bigbreakfastplus.org.uk
• Alternative Angels - provides evening meals on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Pilgrim Centre, Regent's Circus in Swindon Town Centre, from 6.30pm - 7.30pm. E: info@alternative-angels.org
• FoodCycle Swindon - offers a free hot meal for anyone needing a meal, every Thursday evening at 6.30pm at Pinetrees Community Centre at The Circle in Pinehurst – Please use the back entrance from the car park, accessible from Acacia Grove. T: 020 7729 2775 E: swindon@foodcycle.org.uk
• Swindon Caring Hearts - provides a hot meal, cold drinks and snacks, as well as basic essentials such as sleeping bags, blankets, clothing, toiletries and shoes to homeless people and rough sleepers. Meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm in Havelock Street, Swindon town centre, outside CEX.
• Filling Station - a mobile kitchen which comes to the loading bay in Queens Street, in the town centre, on Thursday evenings from 7pm – 8.15pm. The team serves soup, hot and cold drinks, hotdogs, and a variety of cakes and biscuits. They also hand out care packages of essentials ranging from toothbrushes to blankets. T: 01793812259 / E: macpherson.angus@btopenworld.com
• Swindon Street Friends - meets every Thursday at 7pm in front of the tented market on Market Street, Swindon town centre. Volunteers serve hot meals, snack packs, hot and cold drinks and toiletries to rough sleepers and people who are hungry. Also distributes food donations to households in need of food. E: swindonsstreetfriends@hotmail.com
• Community Fridge - has free produce available for collection from Gorse Hill Baptist Church on Cricklade Road on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am -2pm. T: 01793 534193 / E: heather.prictor@ghbc.org.uk
• Salvation Army Church - offers food donations which are stored in the shed next to the church. People are welcome to come and help themselves at Swindon Citadel Salvation Army, 46-50 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BG. T: 01793 513788 E: swindon.citadel.corps@salvationarmy.org.uk
• Swindon Food Collective – provides food parcels for people in Swindon in financial hardship. To claim food you must be referred by an external agency such as the citizen’s advice bureau, social services or your child’s school – a full list of referrers can be found on their website. You can choose a distribution centre to collect your food from, centres are located across Swindon and are open at different days and times which can be viewed on their website. Once you receive a voucher, or a text referral has been sent to your chosen distribution centre then you can collect your food parcel.T: 07932 108 732 / 01793 615646 / E: admin@swindonfoodcollective.org
• Boxes of Hope - delivers food parcels to households that struggling to afford to eat. T: 01793 534193 / E: heather.prictor@ghbc.org.uk

• Swindon Citizens Advice – gives free, confidential and impartial advice and advocacy on housing, benefits, debt, money, work, relationships, laws and rights, consumer issues, immigration, discrimination, healthcare, tax, education and other problems you may be facing. There is a drop-in service on Monday and Thursday 10am – 1pm, and Wednesday 2pm – 4pm, or you can contact them for an appointment. T: 0808 2787813 / E: https://www.citizensadviceswindon.org.uk/contact-us/
• Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM) – provides free, independent and accessible advocacy for people with care and support needs. Enables people to access services, make choices and challenge service decisions to ensure equality and social justice. T: 01793 542575 / E: info@swindonadvocacy.org.uk

• Mind - provides mental health and wellbeing support and assistance in accessing mental health and wellbeing services. Services include advice and guidance, one-to-one support, counselling, group support, and referrals to appropriate resources. T: 01793 547150 / E: accessline@sgmind.org.uk
• Swindon Mind - also offers a rough sleepers’ programme, offering one-to-one mental health support for anyone who is homeless, living in temporary accommodation, at risk of homelessness or has been homeless in the past. Appointments and weekly drop-in clinics are based at The Haven and Booth House.You can contact the programme on 01793 547150 or roughsleepers@sgmind.org.uk, or make a referral through Mind’s website: https://www.sgmind.org.uk/services/referrals/
• The Junction – an evening service for Swindon residents at times of urgent mental health need. Offers non-clinical support on managing emotions and responses to triggers, physical health needs and developing a care routine. The team also signposts/refers to other organisations and can administer medication onsite. The Junction operates seven days a week, from 4pm – 11pm. To access up to 14 evenings of support you must complete a referral form: https://sgmind.co.uk/services/referrals/T: 01793 547150 / E: junction@sgmind.org.uk
• Willows - offers counselling support for people facing mental health difficulties - specialists in counselling trauma and abuse with its complex challenges. T: 01793 426650 / E: willows@willowscounselling.org.uk
• IPSUM – helps address mental, psychological and emotional health, to reduce loneliness and isolation, increase self-esteem, encourage an active lifestyle and promote positive change. Offers a range of therapeutic interventions including talking therapies, music, creative writing and art. Ipsum also runs a free men’s mental health group on a Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at 13 Milton Road, SN1 5JE - please call to self-refer or book a space. T: 01793 695 405 / E: admin@ipsum.care
• 4Kelly – offers people experiencing mental health difficulties a bespoke ‘one-stop support package’, including access to a dedicated support worker, life coach, counsellor and volunteer support. The service is not time-limited and can be accessed as frequently as needed. T: 01793 200710 / E: info@4kelly.org
• Swindon Talking Therapies – provides evidence-based therapies to help people manage common mental health problems including anxiety, stress, depression and low mood as well as cope with long term physical health conditions. T: 01793836836 / E: awp.swindontalkingtherapies@nhs.net

• Society Without Abuse – offers support, education, early intervention, recovery programmes and interventions for children. T: 01793 698001 / https://societywithoutabuse.org.uk/contact/
• Paragon – provides specialist accommodation for women and children facing domestic abuse, recovery groups, advocacy, safety planning, counselling and support for criminal justice processes and awareness programs. The integrated service also works with children and family members who use harmful behaviours, aiming to foster healthier and safer family environments. T: 01793 610610 / E: ParagonSwindon@theyoutrust.org.uk
• Nelson Trust – a women’s centre provides trauma-informed, gender responsive, and holistic support for women and their families. Services include one-to-one sessions, group work and access to specialist services. T: 01793 495812 / E: swindon.info@nelsontrust.com
• Respect Men’s advice line – a national helpline, webchat and website specifically for men experiencing domestic abuse. T: 0808 8010327 E: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

• Step Change – a national charity supporting people to become debt-free and get their finances back on track. They offer advice and support with implementing debt solutions including debt management plans, individual voluntary arrangements, debt relief orders, debt arrangement schemes and bankruptcy and settlement arrangements. They provide money guides and money management tools and can also help people access to support with the stress and mental impact of debt. T: 0800 138 1111 / E: https://www.stepchange.org/send-us-an-email.aspx
• Swindon Citizens Advice –provides accredited advice on benefits, debt and money and support for debt management, including identifying priority and non-priority debts, dealing with creditors, applications for debt relief orders and help with filing for bankruptcy. The service also offers financial first aid and cost of living support. T: 0808 2787813 / E: https://www.citizensadviceswindon.org.uk/contact-us/
• Cross Light Advice – offers appointments for people struggling with debt on Thursdays at Pattern Church, Penzance Drive. Debt advisors provide comprehensive debt and benefit advice, build financial resilience through coaching, and mentor clients with open-ended holistic support. T: 0300 373 1180 / E: info@crosslightadvice.org

• Job Centre - provides guidance and training opportunities for unemployed people, information on job vacancies, job-search resources, assistance with applying for jobs, and advice and support with claiming benefits. T: 0845 604 3719
• IPS – employment specialists support people with mental health or alcohol/drug issues with gaining and retaining employment. Services include help with accessing training, searching, applying, and interviewing for jobs, workplace adjustments and up to four months of in-work support. To access IPS you must be referred by either AWP Community Mental Health Team, AWP Early Intervention Service or Change Grow Live. T: 01793 328150 / E: ips.swindon@cgl.org.uk
• Talking Therapies Employment Support - a specialist employability service for people accessing Swindon Talking Therapies to find work, remain in work, or return to work in an effectively supportive way. To access this service, see Swindon Talking Therapies in the Mental Health section, above.
• Building Bridges - provides personalised support to people with significant barriers and challenges who want to move towards sustained education or employment goals. T: 01380 732821 / E: hello@buildingbridgessw.org.uk
• New College Swindon – offers education and careers support to people aged 16 years and older, including an inclusive learning programme which helps students to access education and learning through practical means, and get the qualifications and skills they need to work towards an independent future. The college offers courses from entry level to apprenticeships, through to university degrees and can provide safeguarding, wellbeing, financial and additional learning support. T: 01793 611470 / E: info@newcollege.ac.uk
• Adult Education Centre – offers a range of adult learning courses for those aged 19 and over, which run both daytime and evenings throughout the week. The courses are delivered in small groups in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Many courses are flexible learning, which means you can go to the AEC and study anytime within their opening hours. On top of key skills such as Maths, English and ICT they also run a choice of employability and community learning courses, with a weekly job club that is open to all. T: 07715625731 / E: alc@newcollege.ac.uk

• Twigs - a resource to give people who experience mental health problems the chance to regain confidence, self-esteem and to learn new skills through therapeutic gardening activities. T: 01793 523 294 / E: reception@therecoverytreecharity.org.uk
• Swindon Wellbeing Programme (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust) - provides nature-based activities for people living with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, low mood and stress. Participants get involved in conservation work, wildlife walks and nature-based crafts. T: 07824 639634
• Live Well Swindon – offers a befriending service to reduce loneliness and isolation. Also provides support with social prescribing, health coaching, hoarding and self-neglect, stopping smoking, volunteering, managing finances, falls prevention and migrant health. T: 01793 465513 / E: livewell@swindon.gov.uk
• The Shed - facilitates mental well-being in Swindon through supportive environments to connect with others, be active, learn new skills and share knowledge/give to others through renewing, repairing and re-using materials which would otherwise go to landfill. T: 07544 540476 / E: dawn@renewswindon.org.uk

• Change Grow Live (CGL) – provides access to a recovery worker and personalised recovery plan to anyone living in Swindon experiencing problems with drugs and/or alcohol. Services include detox services, health assessments, clinical and psychological services, needle exchange, peer-led activities, support with finding volunteering roles and employment and referral to other support services. CGL also supports children and family members impacted by someone else's substance misuse. T: 01793328150 / E: SwindonInfo@cgl.org.uk
• The Nelson Trust: Swindon Women’s Centre – offers women with drug or alcohol use problems a keyworker who works with them to co-create a personalised support plan, including one-to-one sessions, group work and access to specialist services. The centre offers educational courses, workshops, drop-ins and groups, which cover wellbeing, life skills and creative activities. Clients can use the onsite creche facilities, showers, washing machines, garden and café. T: 01793 495812 / E: swindon.info@nelsontrust.com
• 12 step fellowships - Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous promote abstinence from alcohol and drugs through a programme where members support each other through local group meetings, sponsorship (mentoring), learning the principles of the 12 steps and implementing them in their lives to achieve long-term recovery.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous: T: 0800 917 7650 / E: help@aamail.org
  • Narcotics Anonymous: T: 0300 999 1212 / E: pi@ukna.org
  • Cocaine Anonymous: T: 0800 612 0225 / E: helpline@cauk.org.uk
• Al-Anon – provides support for people affected by another person’s alcohol or drug use, through a 12 step programme where members support each other at local group meetings, sponsorship (mentoring), learning the principles of the 12 steps and implementing them in their lives to achieve their own recovery.T: 0800 0086 811 / E: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk

• Wiltshire Victim Support – helps anyone affected by crime to keep safe and secure, explore ways of coping and access specialist help including counselling. T: 0808 281 0113
• Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – offers immediate confidential, specialist support to anyone who has experienced a recent or non-recent rape or sexual assault in Wiltshire. T: 01793 781916 (general enquiries) / 01793 781917 (24 hour helpline)
• Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Violence Therapeutic Service – provides tailored therapeutic support for victims / survivors of sexual violence, aged five and over, who are living in Wiltshire and Swindon. Victims and survivors are supported to manage their trauma symptoms and move forwards in their recovery with interventions such as counselling, psychoeducational support, group support and peer support (befriending). T: 01793 317482 / E: SVTS@fearfree.org.uk
• Swindon & Wiltshire Independent Sexual Violence Advisory (ISVA) Service – provides a dedicated, nationally-accredited advisor to support victims of sexual violence pursuing justice through the legal system. Advisors explain the legal process, represent victims at interviews and court appearances and advocate for them when they feel overwhelmed. T: 0300 373 2715
• Revival - Wiltshire’s rape and sexual assault centre offers free, confidential therapeutic support services for Swindon and Wiltshire-based survivors of sexual violence and/or abuse, aged 16 and over. Services include counselling, EMDR, yoga, pre-trial therapy, and safety and stabilisation. T: 01225 777 562 / E: admin@revival-wiltshirerasac.org.uk