Helping homeless people help themselves

Accommodation

Hostels, houses and homes

CATH provides 54 bed places:

  • 8 overnight beds
  • 22 medium term places
  • 24 move on places in shared houses

Accommodation

CATH's commitment to treating tenants and clients as individuals is reflected in the types of accommodation available.

The journey through CATH represents a new step on the demanding journey back to a more mainstream lifestyle through the provision of a day centre, overnight shelter, medium term accommodation and ultimately a place in a shared home.


Harold Tomlins Centre

Exterior photo of the Harold Tomlins Centre
24 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Tel: 01244 409158
Centre Manager Robert Whittall said:
"A handout isn't helping. The purpose of the centre is not only to meet physical needs but to help our clients rediscover a sense of personal responsibility.

We make a small charge for food and clothing because it's part of the practical learning process. We expect clients to work with us because simply offering shelter doesn't tackle the underlying causes.

CATH isn't about offering a quick fix and out. It's about helping homeless people to rebuild their lives by tackling health problems, addiction problems, developing relationships, enhancing life skills and taking part in training and education.

While CATH's key role is accommodation, our work with other partners and charities provides a joined up and robust approach to tackling homelessness.

The centre is run by a highly committed and skilled team but it couldn't keep going without regular volunteers who willing give their time and support to ensure our services keep going."

If you would like to know more about volunteering opportunities at CATH please click here.

Harold Tomlins Centre

For many homeless people this will be there first point of contact with CATH. They may have found their own way through advice from other homeless people or are referred by other agencies including the probation service, housing associations, GPs, police or the drug and alcohol service.

It provides people with access to services to meet their immediate needs:

  • Food and warmth
  • Showers and clothes washing facilities
  • A safe haven wet room for alcohol dependents to drink in safety
  • Clothing store

And once those needs are taken care of a dedicated team of resettlement experts, the Contact, Assessment and Resettlement Team, known as CART, will work on a one-to-one basis to fully assess other needs – physical, emotional, mental health, training and housing.

To find out more about CART click here.

The centre has its own fully fitted medical suite and provides regular access to:

  • GP
  • Counsellors
  • Dentist
  • Community psychiatric nurse
  • Dentist
  • Mental health workers

In addition to this the centre has a fully equipped training suite and a tutor in basic skills including literacy, numeracy and IT skills.


Crispin House

Photo of the gargen at Crispin House
56 Nicholas Street
Chester
Tel: 01244 318845
Robert Whittall said:
"Emergency shelter is vital to some people, but for CATH it's not the end of the process – it's the beginning. We work closely with other parts of CATH to encourage clients to make long-term changes and not simply struggling from day-to-day."

Crispin House

Crispin House is a renovated bungalow providing overnight accommodation for up to eight men. It offers food, care and shelter.

Tenants are referred directly from the Harold Tomlins Centre where the bed allocation system is managed. Six beds are allocated for clients for up to four weeks; two beds are held back for emergencies and are allocated at 3.30pm.

Crispin House is a short-term accommodation service and Crispin House staff work closely with the CART team to develop a package of services to support individuals to rebuild their lives.


Roodee House

Exterior photo of Roodee House
22 Grosvenor Street
Chester
Tel: 01244 318360

Roodee House

This 22-bedded facility is the first step on the road to finding a permanent home. It provides small but clean and comfortable single room accommodation to men who have shown a commitment to engaging in the care and resettlement process.

While tenants are provided with breakfast and an evening meal, there is also a communal training kitchen where they can learn cooking skills. With a communal lounge and small garden, Roodee House begins to give the men who live there a sense of responsibility for their surroundings.

In addition an education suite provides access to computers, basic skills training and a fully functional art room.

The hostel is staffed 24/7 and tenants continue to work with staff to ensure appointments are kept and activities engaged in. It also has a strict curfew.


Moving On

The final stage of the CATH process is being offered a place in one of four shared houses throughout the city providing 24 private bedrooms with a shared kitchen, lounge, bathroom and garden.

Tenants have keys to the front door and their own rooms and are free to come and go as they please as long as basic rules and regulations and adhered to.

Move On manager Matt Roberts said:

"This is the final piece of the jigsaw. By the time our tenants come into this accommodation they have control over their lives once again – albeit with some support from the move on team.

At this stage the move on team works closely with individuals for their final step back to independent living.

We work closely with private landlords and housing association to find independent homes and offer practical support through our rent deposit scheme

We do keep in touch with previous tenants and try to catch up from time to time. And they know we're still here at the end of a phone to help out in times of need."