Harp Southend Homeless Charity gives 56 people a home

Southend homeless charity Harp officially launched its new 56-bed Bluebird development in Southchurch Avenue this month and all of the homes are already full. 

The charity now has a total of 264 units of accommodation for people in need across Southend. 

New building: one of the newly built buildings (Image: Harp)

In the past year, the charity has helped move about 100 people from temporary accommodation into more permanent housing and hopes to help even more people with the help of its new site.

The Bluebird site has 35 low to medium needs bed spaces, and 21 complex needs bed spaces.

Stephen Mansfield, director of fundraising and communications at Harp, said: “The site was originally three existing houses that we acquired and renovated.

“The rest of the site was a load of garages in poor condition, which we flattened and built six brand new houses and a terrace.

Bluebird kitchen: kitchen at the new site (Image: Harp)

“We offer support with mental and physical health as well as support with substance and alcohol abuse.

“Our staff work with agencies in the area including housing associations and the council to identify opportunities for residents to move into accommodation.

“At our bases they have a secure place to live where they can get back on their feet whilst our workers can locate their next place to move on to.

“It is difficult, but we have had success.

Education centre: the Hive centre at the new Southend site (Image: Harp)

“In the last year we have moved on about 100 people from all of our sites.”

There is also an on-site educational centre called The Hive which will allow residents to get involved in training opportunities to help their journey towards independence.

The education centre is close to completion, with just the finishing touches left to make, which will allow residents to gain important life skills including cooking and gardening.

Cooked breakfast: volunteer Alistair Barr serving breakfast at the Bradbury Day Centre (Image: Harp)

The site consists of three existing properties which have been refurbished and six brand new houses. The new houses were built to environmentally friendly PassivHaus standards which are designed so that very little energy for heating or cooling is required.

The homes are now fully occupied and there are staff on site seven days per week.

One service user said: “This accommodation is fantastic, a high standard of living. I feel safe and very happy.”

Harp client: Joinah Mukanangana turned her life around with the help of Harp (Image: Harp)