A new facility to empower local organisations in supporting the vulnerable has been unveiled in Fylde.
The Changing Futures Hub, situated at the YMCA on St Albans Road, St Annes, will offer a place for partner agencies supporting people facing multiple disadvantage to co-locate and provide a joined-up working approach, creating a more streamlined and efficient service.
The Hub is currently operational on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the potential for usage on other days if needed to provide agencies a safe space in which to meet clients where multi-agency support can be easily obtained. The response from these partner agencies, including Inspire, Empowerment, FCWA, Lancashire County Council’s Adult Social Care, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, FCMS, Homeless Mental Health Team and local PCSOs, has so far been resoundingly positive.
Cllr Thomas Threlfall, Chair of Fylde Council’s Environmental, Health & Housing Committee, said: “This is a common-sense solution which has been a long time coming, and I am very pleased that Fylde Council have been able to action it. People facing multiple disadvantage are amongst the most vulnerable in our local communities, and it is excellent to see this Hub now open and able to offer such vital support.”
The Changing Futures programme is a Government-led scheme announced in December 2020 with the explicit aim of improving outcomes for people facing multiple disadvantage by empowering cross-cutting and collaboration between local and national agencies.
The bid to the Changing Futures Fund for Lancashire was led by Blackburn with Darwen Council on behalf of the whole county (including Blackpool) and was approved in July 2021, awarding Lancashire £6.5m. The project is based around an integrated model of Enhanced Service Hubs with lived-experience Navigators supporting engagement and delivery. Navigators will advocate on behalf of individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage and connect them with the service hub provision.
This model includes accessing Enhanced Service Hub support, which is existing provision from Statutory Agencies, enhanced with additional resources as part of the bid. Fylde Council has been awarded £62,500 to appoint a Housing Services Officer for a 25-month period as part of the enhanced service hub support offer.
If you are interested in using the space to support clients facing multiple disadvantage, please contact the Fylde Council Housing Team by emailing housing@fylde.gov.uk or by calling 01253 658658 and asking for the Housing Team.
Keep up to date with the latest Fylde Council news by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter. Any new information will be posted directly through these channels, so if you are following us, you’ll be the first to know.
