Emmanuel House’s Wellbeing Support Team provides tenancy and mental health support for people who are homeless in Nottingham

We first met 18-year-old Matthew* when he was living in a temporary emergency hostel. He has Autism, suffers with depression and has attempted suicide twice.

Framework’s Street Outreach Team referred Matthew to our Wellbeing Support Team because he was homeless and needed support for his mental health. Karen, our Multiple Needs Support Worker, worked with the hostel to refer Matthew to a local organisation that supports young single homeless people. Karen helped him to find more appropriate accommodation and he is now sharing a self-contained flat with one other young person.

Karen registered Matthew with a local GP surgery and referred him to the Homeless Health Team for a mental health assessment. She attended an optician appointment with him and ordered him new spectacles. She provided him with food parcels and encouraged him to come for hot meals at Emmanuel House.

With Karen’s help, Matthew is more confident and outgoing. He is now enrolled on a Level 3 Art Course at a local college (he is brilliant at drawing portraits of animals) and has been asked to design Emmanuel House’s annual Christmas card. Look out for our Christmas card, which will be on sale during the festive season, with all money raised going to Emmanuel House Support Centre, supporting people like Matthew in their journey out of homelessness.

Matthew is now volunteering at a local charity serving tea and coffee, where he attends other social events and has made new friends.