Homeplus NI Ltd operate the only Drop In Centre in Belfast specifically for destitute asylum seekers and refugees, who are the most vulnerable in society, as most of them have addictions and/or severe mental health problems. They provide various services for this group including distributing and delivering clothing, food parcels, advice on accommodation and benefits, English classes by Zoom , and advice on emergency accommodation for destitute asylum seekers. They also provide a Street Outreach service every evening to homeless people with complex needs who are sleeping rough in Belfast, offering them access to emergency accommodation, where entitled, and/or the services of the Drop In Centre. They provide new warm clothes, food, sandwiches, sleeping bags, advice on other agencies, and are also trained to administer Naloxone.
This group received £9,918 in 2021 towards 2 x Sessional Workers who will be responsible for the outreach programme working alongside the volunteers offering access to emergency accommodation to these disadvantaged people every evening, getting information on vacant beds from the NI Housing Executive - due to addictions/mental health. They will provide practical and emotional support as is needed for individual circumstances.
