Spires’ Wandsworth Service: Our First Month Report

In January 2025, we opened our new drop-in service in Wandsworth, which runs every Monday morning from 9-11:30am at St Nicholas Church, Tooting. This service supports those in the local area who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those experiencing other challenges such as poor mental/physical health and substance dependency issues. It is open to anyone who is rough-sleeping - our team will assess individual needs and provide our professional advice and support. We can offer:

  • Non-judgmental and confidential casework

  • A one-to-one assessment and support plan

  • Housing and Homeless Support

  • Advocacy and Benefits assistance

  • Physical and Mental health support

  • Substance and dependency referral

  • Breakfast, hot drinks, winter emergency packs and toiletries

Our Immediate Impact

According to the Greater London Authority 2023/24 CHAIN Greater London Bulletin, 172 people were officially recorded as rough sleeping in Wandsworth In our first month of operation, 70 breakfasts have been served to 35 people who have presented at the service, all of whom have received an individual assessment from a Spires caseworker of their housing and other support needs. Key outcomes include:

Health Support – 7

Support to engage with the START Mental Health Team – 3

Supported to engage with Drug & Alcohol services -1

Housing Support – 6

Pre-emptive tenancy sustainment -2

Street Link referrals– 2

Supported into Hostel/TA/Other housing – 3

Money support – 9

Benefits maintained/started - 4

The attached below case study is an example of the impact Spires can make:

Case Study:

Jacob came to Spires' new drop-in service at St Nicholas church in Wandsworth after becoming homeless and rough sleeping in a local park for a week. He is a French male who has lived in the UK for 9 years with his partner and 2 young children. They have recently separated, and she has returned to France with their children.

Despite recovering from drug and alcohol issues in 2020, Jacob unfortunately relapsed due to his relationship breakdown and he was very upset about not being able to see his children. He is experiencing anxiety & depression as well as Fibromyalgia as a result of his situation and was very emotional when he came to Spires.

On the day, Jacob received hot food and beverages, as well as a winter emergency support pack from Spires, which includes thermals, underwear, toiletries & a sleeping bag as he was rough sleeping. Following a same day assessment with a Spires support worker, a referral was made to Street Link and SPEAR, the local Outreach team. A drug and alcohol outreach worker was present at the service, who was able to promptly direct Jacob to services that can help him with his recovery.

Our new homeless drop-in service runs every Monday from 9 – 11.30am at St Nicholas Church. By attending this service, Jacob was quickly connected with essential services, getting the help he needs to address his homelessness and support his drug and alcohol recovery.

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Matt