Turnaround E1-Supporting the homeless and disadvantaged across London

The project was created in 2000 to help the targeted group (homeless, isolated, living in hostels, on state benefits and generally disadvantaged people) to have a place where they could go and, in a safe and friendly atmosphere, use the computers to further their interests - be it to look for work, gain qualifications, pursue hobbies find out where to get advice on benefits, housing etc.

The centre is basically structured on a peer to peer basis - that is, the users and volunteers sharing experiences and knowledge of the issues that affect them.

We have successfully enabled numerous people to be housed, begin retraining or into work and just as important made them feel part of a community.

The computers in the resource centre (and the running of the resource centre) and this web site were developed, on the most part, by homeless and ex-homeless people.

The initial funding for the project in 2000 was for 2 years from the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI). Further funding from the RSI was awarded for 2002/3. This funding has continued since and is reviewed annually.

From the London Development Agency, administered by the Off the Streets and into Work (OSW), a capital grant to equip the resource centre with the necessary computers and peripherals was obtained. The OSW also granted a sum to extend the opening hours until 20.00 hrs. (This grant expired in March 2005 and unless further funding is forthcoming this may have to be curtailed to reduce our running (operational) costs. These evening sessions are extremely popular,, particularly with the clients living in hostels and on the street.

Another grant was provided to obtain laptops and set up and run internet cafes at other centres.

Other charities have given grants over the years to assist in the day to day running of the centre (consumables, telephone/internet services and other recurring costs which amount to a fairly high percentage of our overall costs).

The Huguenot Society has recently donated a grant to upgrade the network in the resource centre, obtain further software and licences, and other minor upgrades.

We would like to resurrect our Internet Cafe scheme which, in the past, we have taken to outside organisations to let other people experience our work at a local level.

There has also been suggestions for other projects (not everyone is interested in computers - but we still strive to assist them) such as aiding people physically moving from hostels into permanent accommodation - moving their goods, helping them acquire furniture etc., gardening , decorating and others for which there is a wealth of untapped talent available.

It may be necessary to establish a non profit making company operating as a social enterprise, the activities being self funding, but the main stumbling block is initial funding and our limited resources - personnel as well as financial (operating and capital costs).

It is felt that these projects would help our clients back into the routine of working and enable them to demonstrate to prospective employers their willingness and ability to work.