VOLUNTEERS are needed to help support a new homelessness prevention programme in Cornwall.

Those looking to help those in need are being sought following the launch of a new initiative in Cornwall, which has already seen great success elsewhere.

Homeless charity, Housing Justice, is seeking volunteers in the county as part of its recently-launched homelessness prevention programme, Citadel, which supports people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to find and establish a home.

The charity has been running the Citadel programme across Wales for the last four years and the project has garnered much praise for its innovative and person-centred approach to homelessness. Figures have showed that 90 per cent of those referred to Citadel for support remained engaged in the project and 97 per cent sustained their tenancies for at least 12 months after referral.

Following the programme’s success in Wales, Housing Justice is widening its rollout, launching Citadel in South-East London, Bristol, Cornwall, Sheffield and Hastings.

With co-ordinators in place, the charity is now looking for volunteers to help people on their journey from homelessness to belonging.

A spokesperson for the organisation explained: “The programme is volunteer-led and so provides an amazing opportunity for volunteers to play a fundamental part in changing someone’s life for the better.”

After volunteers have been trained and DBS checked, Housing Justice matches them with a person in need of support, identifies their needs, and the volunteer then provides personalised support. This could be with finding and sustaining a tenancy, decorating and furnishing a home, managing bills and budgeting, joining a social club or community group, attending appointments, or just having a cup of coffee and a chat it is all personalised and depends on the individual.

George Butler, head of Citadel England, is keen to hear from anyone who would like to find out more: “We are delighted to have finalised our staff team and are very much looking forward to working with local volunteers to help alleviate homelessness in Cornwall.

“Our team in Wales has found volunteering with us to be a fun and fulfilling experience, with plenty of opportunity to socialise and make friends with like-minded people while changing people’s lives for the better. If you would like to find out more, please email [email protected] and have a look at our website for more information: www.housingjustice.org.uk/citadel-england”

The expansion of Citadel is part of a three-year programme run by the Centre for Homelessness Impact and funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This is supporting the introduction or extension of innovative responses to homelessness, and includes an independent evaluation of its impact, using a randomised controlled trial.