Day Centre

Here at the Foxton Centre we run a Day Centre for the homeless and rough sleepers in the city …

Each day in our Day Centre we attempt to meet the practical needs that people have to make their life a little more bearable.

Due to covid restrictions we have had to change the way we work, we make sure people have access to nutritious food. We have showers so that people can get themselves clean and we carry a stock of clothing so that people have something to wear. We also have a washing machine and drier so that clothes can be kept clean

However we aren’t just about maintaining people in a difficult position, we want to help people change their lives. So we have a team of qualified staff, students and volunteers who help address the wider needs that people have.

We do this by making a plan with people about the things they want to sort out this might include;

• finding them temporary and permanent accommodation
• helping them return to a different area if that helps
• help them get a doctor
• help them sort out finances and benefits
• re-connect with family and friends

In the really bad weather we open extra services to enable people to keep safe in the past this used to be by opening the doors of our centre to let people sleep in the relative safety of the building and during the ‘Beast from the East’ snow storms in 2018 we had 28 people sleep here. Post covid and with the support of Preston City Council this is in some accommodation which is covid safe with en-suite facilities for each person. Full announcement of the provision winter 21/22 will be announced soon.

In the twelve months to April 2021 with the support of a variety of funding schemes, we  accommodated over 107 people each night throughout our settings, across Preston. Although this client group brings many challenges we are committed to work in partnership and continually evolve our services to meet their needs.  In the last year (Data April 2020 – Feb 2021) The Foxton Centre, have supported over 235 individuals by providing accommodation across our sites and provided 33,668 bed nights through the year. Out of the 243 service users whom we have provided accommodation, 64 of these individuals are women, roughly around 26% of our Rough Sleepers.

“The Foxton Centre have helped me so much, they have supplied a sleeping bag, ensured I was off the street whilst waiting for the supported housing interview and much more. Just to be able to shower, change clothes and have a hot meal. I am grateful for all the support including the member of staff attending my interview and knowing what to say as I have never done this before. I was given hope.”