Faith-based, community-led recovery support

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The context

In Scotland statistics consistently indicate that around 13% of homelessness applications each year (just over 3,000 households) cite drug or alcohol dependency as a reason for failing to maintain housing. This may not be the direct cause, or the only contributing factor, but substance use clearly has a close relationship with homelessness. Recent research cited substance misuse as a risk factor in tenancy breakdown in Scottish and international contexts, whilst also noting a “range of community factors” associated with tenancy sustainment, including integrating or reengaging with ‘housed’ society.ci Street Connect offers support to people with substance issues in a local community context.

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The intervention

Street Connect’s origins are as a Glasgow City Church ‘soup kitchen’ outreach project for people who were homeless, often rough sleeping, in 2013. It became evident a crisis service based on emergency provision did little to address underlying causes of homelessness, especially substance issues. Informed by their own experiences of homelessness and addiction, two church members decided to establish an independent charity. Street Connect now offers support to people struggling with substances at various stages of recovery. Many are at risk of homelessness, repeat homelessness, or are homeless. They don’t need to be or become a Christian to use the service, but support does have a spiritual dimension.

Street Connect works in partnership with local churches, expanding from its first home in Glasgow city centre to Possilpark, Royston, Clydebank, Greenock, Paisley, Wishaw and Blackwood. Drop-in cafés, held at different times depending on location, are the main ‘gateway’ into support. They occur in safe, welcoming spaces run by staff and volunteers from local communities. People can get a tea or coffee, chat and explore issues in more depth. Cafés are promoted via local agencies, leaflets, posters or by word of mouth from friends or family, as well as through street outreach by Street Connect in each area. People can also be formally referred, but ‘walk-ins’ are more common.

From attending a café, support is offered based on an individual’s goals and preferences. Street Connect offers community recovery support via groupwork, and 1:1 support if people want this. The service can facilitate access residential rehabilitation and shared ‘dry’ move-on housing (five rooms in three flats), with aftercare, where a person leaves rehab but doesn’t want to, or can’t, live alone. People using 1:1 support complete a transformation plan, where support is provided for other issues identified as barriers, such as housing and mental health. Those attending recovery groups can formulate a support plan if they want to, but they’re not required to, as this is intended a ‘low threshold’ support.

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The outcome

In the past year (2020-21), Street Connect provided support to 1,049 people, of whom 766 engaged in informal 1:1 support and 132 with more formal 1:1 keywork. 15 people entered residential rehabilitation. For people engaging in formal recovery support (either 1:1, housing-related support or groupwork, and who chose to complete a transformation plan), 75% reported improved or stabilised outcomes in their living situation (which includes housing or homelessness issues for people reporting these). Many of these people had multiple previous failed recovery attempts and recorded improved outcomes across a whole range of wellbeing outcomes.

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Key insights

• the role of community in recovery and sustainment can get overlooked: partnering with churches and using local volunteers offers valuable support through a model which can be replicated in most communities
• recovery can be a long journey of years, with twists and turns; a low threshold, always accessible, community-led service that doesn’t close the door based on time limits or ‘chances’, has a role to play
• some people seek out a spiritual element to recovery, others benefit from support without engaging in this aspect. Others will find it’s not for them: so it’s vital to have pathways into other services

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Find out more…

Andrew Pont, General Manager, Street Connect
andrew@streetconnect.co.uk