ST MARTINS HOUSING TRUST Information

Rough sleepers need a roof over their heads. They need a warm bed. And we provide that. But they also need a reason to get out of it in the morning. St Martins helps homeless people, and those at risk, by offering them a hand up. We nurture their self-esteem and trust in other people. We empower them to make positive choices. To some, we are a lifelong solution. To others, we are a stepping stone to rebuilding their lives. St Martins is a local charity working in Norwich and Norfolk for over 50 years. We started life as the night shelter project and have since adjusted to the changing and complex needs of homeless people. Our street outreach team know who is sleeping rough in Norwich. Our hostel Bishopbridge House offers direct access to rough sleepers. We support people to move on from the hostel to independent living, whilst helping address addictions, medical needs, and other issues along the way. People with diagnosed mental health problems and drug and alcohol dependency are looked after at our registered care home. Our clients are not only rough sleepers - there are many vulnerably housed people on the brink of homelessness, often due to mental health issues or the breakdown of relationships. St Martins want to prevent homelessness as well as supporting people out of it. We go into schools with some of our clients to talk about the reality of their experience, particularly around drugs and alcohol.