People facing homelessness in the Western Bay area will have greater support fighting through legal and administrative bureaucracy, thanks to a grant from South Wales Freemasons.
Shelter Cymru, the Welsh people and homes charity, has been awarded £20,000 to help deliver a unique project entitled “Housing Support Plus” working across the Western Bay area of South Wales (Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot).
This grant will support a vital personal service for people facing homelessness, supporting them at a very difficult time and giving them reassurance. It will see a new Housing Advocacy Volunteer Coordinator recruiting and training volunteers who will themselves directly support more than 200 people or families every year.
The service is aimed at people who are not sufficiently aware of their rights around housing and benefit issues and who need additional support to engage with caseworkers.
There is a special focus on practical issues such as arranging pre-meetings to ensure paperwork is completed, taking notes and providing individuals with a meeting record and information on next steps and actions.
The grant from South Wales Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, the families and friends from across England and Wales.
Michelle Wales, Campaigns Manager at Shelter Cymru, said:
“We greatly welcome this grant from South Wales Freemasons. It will help us to provide essential support to people who often do not have a roof over their heads and who are struggling with bureaucracy.”
Speaking at a presentation in Cardiff, Provincial Grand Master of South Wales Freemasons Gareth Jones OBE said:
“We are very pleased to be able to support Shelter Cymru, who carry out excellent work with some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”