.png)
The New Futures Project was saddened to hear that a respected homelessness service in the county is fighting for its future after councillors removed its funding.
In its own words, Falcon Support Services, in Loughborough, has been ‘helping the homeless and those in need to find independence and community support for 20 years’.
However, its future is now in doubt after Leicestershire County Council – which is facing a financial crisis of its own due to the government’s ongoing public spending cuts – decided to end its financial support for Falcon.
In a statement issued this week, Falcon, which supports people from across the whole county, said: “With homelessness on the rise and more and more people presenting with complex needs this is a huge blow to the county and will affect the whole community.
“Our flagship Falcon Centre provides temporary accommodation to over 100 individuals a year, all of whom work closely with a support worker and to a personalised action plan with clear outcomes that aim to end their homeless cycle by developing confidence, skills and physical and mental health.
“The Falcon Centre is also a lifeline for people seeking support providing, over 26,000 hot meals a year, access to washing and showering facilities, food parcels, health and wellbeing initiatives and access to support workers.”
Carl Martin, direct services manager at the New Futures Project, said: “Falcon have been there for a very long time and have helped a lot of people over the years.
“Any dealings we’ve had with the Falcon Centre over the years have showed them to be a friendly and professional, a really dedicated team.
“We were saddened to hear of their possible closure and we hope they can continue all the great work they do.
“They have been there a long time and have helped a lot of people in that time. I don’t know what will happen if they close.“
Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for children and families, told the Leicester Mercury/LeicestershireLive last week: “This is a really emotive and important service that we do.
“Becoming homeless is horrendous for anybody, so if we can work further upstream to stop that situation hit crisis point, that’s where we should target what little money we have to do this.”
Falcon has launched an appeal for cash donations to keep the centre, in Pinfold Gate, in Loughborough town centre, up and running.
They have also recorded a Christmas single, sales of which will also boost the appeal, which aims to raise £200,000.
To find out more about Falcon and its appeal, visit its website here
New Futures was set up more than 20 years ago to support women involved in sex work.
However, we have evolved into a welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation – frequently involving domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.
Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk
You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.
Comments