The Hive prepares to celebrate 1st birthday

The Hive, Action Homeless’ innovative service which helps people to recover from homelessness in Leicester, is marking its first birthday with a special garden party. The project has provided a safe home to 21 people during its first year.

Funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), The Hive aims to meet the needs of people who have had repeated experiences of rough sleeping and enable them to break the cycle of homelessness.

Residents of The Hive benefit from in-house personalised support, which includes access to specialist treatment for drug and alcohol problems. The project puts a major emphasis on ‘connection’, providing group sessions which bring people together to develop peer support and build confidence. The environment itself was created to aid positive wellbeing, with living spaces carefully designed to help people to feel safe and secure.

During its first year, the project has had a profound impact:

81% of residents have sustained their accommodation for 6 months or more, noting that for many clients this has been their longest period of stable housing in years.

92% of residents regularly engaging with physical health services and 58% with mental health services.

During the year, 4 people have made a successful transition into a more stable home.

One current resident commented;

“This is the first place that I have felt truly safe and do not live in fear. I can step outside and know I am safe to come back.”

Action Homeless Chief Executive, Mark Grant, said;

“The Hive is a great example of what can be achieved when we design and deliver a service which meets people where they are. We take a trauma-informed approach to the environment and the support and this means people can truly begin to recover from the impact of long-term homelessness.”

Residents and staff will come together for a garden party at the end of May to mark the 1^st year milestone and celebrate the achievements of the project and the individuals that it supports.

The Hive is a partnership project between Action Homeless, Turning Point and Leicester City Council. More information about the service and how to refer can be found in The Hive brochure.