On Friday 15th December leading national homelessness charity, St Mungo’s, is launching Fusion, a new daytime safe space for people who are sleeping rough in Bournemouth. Councillor Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for housing (BCP Council) will officially open Fusion on Friday 15th December at 10am. The client space will be open that day and from there onwards between 10am and 1pm, Mondays to Fridays.
At Fusion people will be able to relax, take part in activities such as gender specific groups, health & wellbeing workshops, art groups and other life skills. They will also be able to access information about support services, set up appointments with their St Mungo’s lead workers and partner agencies. Fusion welcomes anyone who is currently sleeping rough, or anyone who is at risk of returning to the streets. It is a drop-in service and people do not need to be referred.
Moving away from the streets can be difficult and complex therefore the experts from the charity will work closely with individuals to create long-term plans so they can stop sleeping rough. That might be by supporting them to access temporary accommodation, private rented accommodation or reconnecting them to accommodation in an area where they have friends or family. The charity also supports to find individuals pathways to access physical and mental health care and drug or alcohol support.
Andrew Teale, Service Manager, St Mungo’s said: “Supporting those experiencing homelessness is a 365-days-a-year priority for our St Mungo’s teams in Bournemouth and winter is always a vital period to provide help and safeguard those most vulnerable in our communities. Our new expanded Fusion service crucially means that our outreach workers can offer people experiencing rough sleeping or are at risk of returning to rough sleeping a safe space where they can have a hot drink and be linked in with experts who can help with their housing, mental health, substance use and benefits.”
Other services working with the St Mungo’s teams from the Fusion centre include Homeless Health Team, BCP Housing, We Are With You and Dorset Working Women Project.
You can connect someone who is sleeping rough with the St Mungo’s BCP Outreach Team by getting in touch directly on 01202 315962 or via the national StreetLink app and website.
