Our outreach workers are a vital part of our organisation. They work full time, providing support to people sleeping rough. For people outside the sector, the support they provide might not be easy to understand. That’s why we’ll be showing you what a day in the life of an outreach worker looks like.
Our outreach workers provide emotional and
practical support to people experiencing homelessness in Leeds, Bradford and
Kirklees. This support is centered around the goals and aspirations of our
clients. Like each person’s aspirations are different, no two days are ever the
same as our support will be based on each of our client’s goals.
Here’s an overview of what 24 hours as an
outreach worker can look like. Each day is centred around emotional and
practical support for our clients.
A day in the life of an outreach worker.
As we said, each day is different, as support we provide will focus on the needs of our clients. We don’t work from an office, but instead go out to visit the people we support, wherever they may be. Today, my day began with early morning outreach before I went to visit and support some of my regular clients.
Morning outreach.
My day begins early in the morning before the sun has risen. Heading on the train to Dewsbury, I meet up with a colleague from the Kirklees Rough Sleeper Initiative team. We searched the town, checking for people we know and looking for others who may be homeless and sleeping rough.
Many of those we see are in vulnerable
situations and in desperate need of money. Most have no recourse to public
funds which means they can’t access emergency accommodation. They may be
accepting cash in hand jobs in exchange for money or a place to sleep.
One person I spoke to was looking for help
with claiming benefits and attending a housing assessment. We agreed to meet up
to look into this.
Emotional Support
Emotional support is key a key part of our work. As an independent charity, we have the time to build trusting relationships with our clients. Many people we work with don’t have a support network they can turn to. They need someone they can talk to, free of judgement.
Jessica* is now in accommodation of her own
after spending years sleeping rough. The change from homelessness to living in
your own accommodation can be daunting. We’ve been supporting Jessica through
this change. She feels anxious going outside so we’ve been supporting her by
accompanying her to appointments. Walking has also been relaxing for her and we
join her on walks around her local park. Today, I talk to Jessica about
visiting her doctor to review her mental health and discuss further support available.
Practical Support
After seeing Jessica, I visit Fred*, another of my clients. Fred has asked for practical support with booking an appointment at his doctor’s surgery. He also asked me to attend the bank with him and request some sick notes. Fred’s first language isn’t English so these tasks, which seem easy for us, aren’t’ for him. It has taken a long time to build up our relationship with Fred, but he now trusts us with such tasks.
Fred spoke of his frustration at not being better with technology and computers. With many services, including universal credit, now accessed online, it’s hard for clients who have never used IT before. Many don’t have easy access to computers. Fred expressed his regret that he had never learnt how to use them.
After visiting Fred, I met up with another gentleman I support. I’m delighted to deliver the news that he has been successful in his settled status application and has been granted indefinite leave to remain. This now means, after living a life on the streets, with no food or money and serious health conditions, he can now access public funds such as benefits and housing support.
Heading Home.
As I head home after work, I always feel a sense of gratitude as I enter the front door of my house. Checking out mentally from work is hard. The people we support place a lot of trust and reliance on us, and the pressure can be intense. We don’t want to let them down. By the evening, we are often mentally exhausted.
Many of the people we help require
specialist support. 80% of people experiencing homelessness have mental ill
health. But all too often, getting this support is a long and difficult
journey. We rely on empathy, a good listening ear, consistency and unlimited
time and kindness to support our clients.
Our days are spent supporting people
experiencing homelessness. We couldn’t do this without your donations. Can you
support us by donating the cost of an hour or two’s worth of our time? Your
donations ensure we can continue to provide vital emotional and practical
support to people who are homeless and vulnerable. Donate today.
*Real names not used