Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for homeless people

Mental health support for people in temporary accommodation

Recognising the emotional impact of homelessness

The Wellbeing Support Team (WBST) at Emmanuel House works with homeless people in Nottingham City. All are experiencing mental health and additional issues, which are a primary cause or consequence of their insecure accommodation or lack of accommodation. The team consists of two full-time Multiple Needs Workers and is managed by the organisation’s Head of Operations.

The difference the project hopes to make:

  • Improved mental and physical wellbeing  
  • Increased awareness of personal strengths, resilience and management strategies for overcoming life’s challenges
  • Reduced social isolation
  • Reduced harmful behaviours
  • Improved ability for people to make progress towards independent living
  • Increased engagement with services and agencies

The Wellbeing Support Team is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Click here to read about the funding and partnership.

What we provide

  • We support people to access a range of health and wellbeing services and support agencies – GPs, drug and alcohol services, statutory mental health services and social inclusion activities.
  • We work with individuals who have fallen out of mainstream provision to re-engage with those services.
  • We are a constant and consistent point of contact for the individual and external agencies that have lost contact with them.
  • We proactively build packages of appropriate support around each person according to individual need and work to reduce any associated risks with their housing situation to help them maintain tenancies.

How we provide mental health support

People who are homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation often feel that they have little control over their lives and may have a reluctance and fear of accessing and sustaining contact with the services that can assist them in a return to stability and independence. The Wellbeing Support Team (WBST) supports people to access a range of health and wellbeing services and support agencies (e.g. GPs, drug and alcohol services, statutory mental health services, social inclusion activities). In particular we work with individuals who have fallen out of mainstream provision to re-engage with those services and we are a constant and consistent point of contact for the individual and external agencies that have lost contact with them.

“I’m feeling supported, I’m no longer homeless and my health is being looked after due to the support they give me. I have someone to trust, to talk to. My life is so much better. The support my worker has given me I believe has helped save my life.”

– Beneficiary
A quote about wellbeing and Mental Health Support for homeless people

“Before I used the services offered to me, I never achieved anything positive. I got put in touch with my worker and I’m on a methadone programme. She makes sure I don’t miss appointments and helps with any problem I have – mental or physical. If I was unable to access the Wellbeing Support Team, I’d lose my sanity and my prescription would be stopped. I’d probably be back on the street.”

– Beneficiary
An example of Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for homeless people

The WBST is pro-active in building packages of appropriate support around each person according to individual need and work to reduce any associated risks with their housing situation to help them maintain tenancies.

Make a referral for mental health support

To enquire or make a referral, please email wellbeing@emmanuelhouse.org.uk or call the centre on 0115 950 7140 to speak to the team.

The data

Between 1 November 2022 and 30 October 2023, the Wellbeing Support Team supported 42 people, who were referred by 12 organisations.

How you can help support this team

If you’d like to help our Wellbeing Support Team, here’s a few things we’re currently in need of.

  • Non-perishable food for food parcels
  • Secondhand clothes
  • Blankets
  • Mobile phones that we can give out to people to ensure we stay in contact. Please get in touch if you’d like to purchase these.