Vital Regeneration is the lead delivery agency for advice and guidance through the Homelessness, Employment and Learning Project (HELP).  HELP is run in partnership with Westminster City Council and Residential Management Group.

Research into homelessness and employability in 2006 found that 86 per cent of households placed in temporary accommodation by Westminster City Council are unemployed.  Research shows that many people living in temporary accommodation feel that their lives are ‘on hold’ whilst waiting for permanent accommodation.  Moving into employment can seem pointless when benefits cover market rents that can be more than three times those in the social housing sector.  People can face a long period in temporary accommodation and may feel that it is not worth working to pay for a significant rent.

HELP aims to support clients to address these issues through the services offered by our friendly Advisers.

The HELP Adviser can support people within Westminster who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, by finding employment and training opportunities to further integrate them into their local communities.

HELP has been running since June 2006 and to date has supported 200 clients and their families; 39 into employment, 34 into volunteering opportunities and 104 have undertaken training.

Due to HELP’s success, Vital Regeneration are working in partnership with Westminster City Council and Residential Management Group and to maintain and enhance the project with the aim of supporting a further 80 households each year.