Leyland SLEAP Project

SLEAP - SUPPORTED LODGINGS SCHEME

BACKGROUND

What is SLEAP?

SLEAP is a Christian voluntary organisation set up in 1992 as a response to the increasing numbers of young people finding themselves homeless in the Leyland area.  Originally called the Leyland Churches Homeless Project, it was renamed SLEAP and became a registered charity in November 1995.

What is the SLEAP - Supported Lodgings Scheme?

SLEAP - Supported Lodgings organises a network of individuals (recruited predominately from local churches) who offer accommodation in their homes to single homeless young people (16 - 25) for up to 6 months.   While on the scheme, young people receive emotional and personal support from the accommodation providers and the project workers.  Support is also offered regarding life skills, benefits, work or education arrangements.  This way, young people are helped to develop skills and the necessary confidence to move on to more permanent and independent accommodation.

How and when did SLEAP-Supported Lodgings Scheme begin?

The need for a supported lodgings scheme was identified in 1996 in “A Strategy for Young Single Homelessness in South Ribble” - a document adopted by the Borough Council and other agencies involved with youth homelessness.  Following this strategy, SLEAP was chosen to study the feasibility of setting up a scheme which tackled the growing need for longer term accommodation (particularly for those young people who are either more vulnerable or better suited to stay with a family).  In January 1999 SLEAP-Supported Lodgings Scheme was launched as an answer to this recognised gap in the accommodation provision.

Who runs the Supported Lodgings Scheme?

This scheme is part of SLEAP and was set up in partnership with Spurgeon’s Child Care.  Although the day to day running of the scheme is undertaken by the project worker, both these charities play a very important role in its management and supervision.  The Supported Lodgings Scheme also has the support of South Ribble Borough Council and of Churches Together in Leyland.  Funding has been provided by South Lancashire Health Authority Himp.

What is Spurgeon’s Child Care?

Spurgeon’s Child Care is a Christian charity that works with children, young people and families.  It was founded in 1867 and has projects both in the UK and abroad.  Many of the projects aim to provide a range of safe and stimulating play opportunities for children.  Spurgeon’s Child Care also seeks to help those who feel parenthood as an isolated and stressful experience, by providing first-time parents groups, parent and toddler groups, drop-in facilities and community lunches.  Localised training opportunities for parents are provided on areas such as child care, first aid, healthy eating, adult literacy and child safety.

Where a specific need is identified within a community, Spurgeon’s Child Care responds by providing targeted support groups.  These range from groups for families with children who have special needs, women’s groups, support groups for those who have been subjected to domestic violence or with a mental health focus (eg. post natal depression).

The church based youth and family workers find various ways of tuning into the needs of local young people so as to offer relevant activities.  Consequently, youth homelessness has emerged as a serious issue.  Several projects have responded by setting up emergency accommodation schemes, using trained and approved volunteers often from local churches.  These volunteers offer temporary respite in their homes whilst other accommodation is sorted out for the young person.  Various other schemes are run alongside with Youth Justice services.