Services
Accommodation
We provide a variety of accommodation
Advice
Our Contact, Outreach and Assessment Team (COAT) will advise individuals on the best places to go to for specific support and information as well as providing practical support.
Access to Support Services
The Harold Tomlins Day Centre provides food, warmth and shelter. It has its own small medical suite to give access to health services, plus an education suite as well as showers and laundry facilities.
COAT
COAT plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness and success of CATH by seeking out people in need of help (contact), working out what help they need (assessment) and supporting their search for appropriate accommodation or moving on (resettlement).
Team members will often be the first point of contact for homeless people and the first step in the process of rebuilding lives. They work on a one-to-one basis with clients to find solutions to their specific problems and meet individual needs.
COAT doesn’t operate in isolation. It also works closely with other agencies, including drug and alcohol support, the Probation Service and local authorities, to provide joined-up support for clients.
COAT’s services are available to all homeless people – residents, visitors to the Harold Tomlins Day Centre and rough sleepers.
As well as providing help and advice, COAT can also provide practical support through its clothing and furniture store.
Call 01244 340830 to speak to a member of COAT.
Education
Education is central to helping people rebuild their lives and find new opportunities. The Harold Tomlins Centre has a large computer suite which is staffed by an education manager and volunteers.
Support can be given in learning and developing basic skills like numeracy and literacy, as well as IT training.
Floating Support
CATH’s Floating Support team works closely with clients once they have secured a private tenancy to ensure they can maintain and sustain it. This includes visiting them in their news homes, trying to identify potential problems before they turn into issues and finding solutions.
Food, shelter, warmth
The Harold Tomlins Centre provides a drop-in facility for anyone in need of support. Visitors can have a hot drink and a meal, a place to sit and chat and seek help from staff.
Bond Guarantee Scheme
The Bond refers to a written guarantee of a sum of money up to £300 for which the tenancy will be covered during a maximum of 12 months (pending a 6 month review). The Bond will be available to the landlord/agent on commencement of the tenancy to replace a cash sum deposit.
Information for landlords
Landlords interested in joining the scheme and offering accommodation to homeless single people must offer accommodation which meets property fitness and safety standards, take tenants on a low income and be prepared to work with CATH to resolve any problems.
Who is eligible
Have a local connection to Cheshire West & Chester District.
Must be capable of independent living or accept appropriate support services where identified.
Must be eligible for Housing Benefit / Benefits if on no income or low income.
Not caused the Scheme a previous loss.
About the Bond Guarantee Scheme
The scheme has a vested interest in ensuring tenants taking part are considered are likely to sustain a tenancy without claims being made upon the Bond Guarantee Scheme.
Landlords are expected to manage the tenancy and remain responsible for cash contributions towards rent (where applicable, e.g., not covered by housing benefit) and ensure, where possible, that other bills (water, gas, electric, etc) are being paid for.
Ongoing and additional floating support is available for all those resettled through the Bond Guarantee Scheme and clients are encouraged to make use of this service.
In addition, landlords are expected to be fair and reasonable, treating the tenant with respect and accepting that the bond is designed to protect against damage or loss over and above reasonable wear and tear.
Landlords must allow CATH staff to view the property in advance, and are expected to provide or accept a standard six-month Assured Shorthold Tenancy, which can be extended or renewed.
Landlords are asked to accept four weeks written notice from the tenant should they wish to leave before the end of the tenancy.
The scheme will ensure, where applicable, that housing benefit claims are completed quickly and accurately.
How long does it last for?
The Bond lasts 12 months from the date the tenancy starts. Tenants are asked to register with Cheshire Credit Union to put into place a savings plan from the beginning of the tenancy to run for the 12 months. This is put in place for the tenant to build up enough money to pay for their own deposit once the bond expires.
