Shouting out to protect essential services for vulnerable people in the south west

As local authorities throughout the south west are considering their budgets for the coming financial year, organisations that provide crucial services for vulnerable people here are joining forces for a month-long awareness raising campaign from today (1 March).

Throughout March, South West Supported Housing Month 2010 is raising the profile of services that range from foyers for young people, temporary accommodation for families, refuges from domestic violence and sheltered and extra care housing for older or disabled people. It will see housing associations, local authorities, and a variety of other organisations run events to showcase the work that they do. There are already over 30 events organised, with many more in the pipeline. South West Supported Housing Month 2010 follows on from the success of last year's campaign, and is again being coordinated by the National Housing Federation.

Around 650 organisations provide over 2,800 services in the south west, supporting around 103,000 vulnerable people here every day. These services enable the most vulnerable members of our communities enjoy more independent and fulfilled lives.

The vast majority of these services are commissioned by local authorities and, until last year, they were paid for through ring-fenced Supporting People grants from central government. The ring fence has since been removed, giving local authorities more power to determine which services they buy in to meet the needs of vulnerable people in their area. During Supported Housing Month we are taking the opportunity to remind those responsible for commissioning these services that they bring not only personal benefits for the people they support, but also significant savings to the public purse. Research from the Department for Communities and Local Government shows that every pound spent on Supporting People saves £2.12 on other public services.

Myriam Kniveton, Chair of the National Housing Federation's South West Supported Housing Forum commented: "South West Supported Housing Month runs throughout March this year and is an excellent opportunity for providers to join forces in the south west and highlight the contribution supported housing and support services make in the region. It will help to demonstrate the money that is being saved to other public services, as outlined in CLG's Capgemini report.

With the removal of the ring fence around Supporting People funding, it is vitally important that commissioners, MPs, stakeholders and Councillors are fully aware of the contribution that the sector is making in supporting and improving the lives of so many individuals in communities throughout the region."

Click on the image for news of how Two Rivers Housing is getting its residents involved in Supported Housing Month.