Making a Difference
The Foxton Centre in Preston, was first set up as a youth club, but is now best known for its pioneering work to tackle the city’s growing homelessness problem, writes Kate Ford
As chief executive, Jeff Marsh has led the Foxton Centre for two and a half years. A foster parent, who originally trained as a youth worker, Jeff has spearheaded the centre’s Preston Housing First scheme which works tirelessly to get people off the streets and into accommodation.
“Through our Housing First scheme we can now accommodate 24 people in shared houses or one-bedroom flats,” says Jeff. “Once they’re housed, we offer intensive help to deal with the issues that led to homelessness in the first place.”
The centre was already using outreach workers to connect with rough sleepers and let them know help is available.
It provides free breakfasts four mornings a week, and access to showers and clean clothes, but the Housing First scheme delivers more permanent solutions. “We’re really excited about it and it puts Preston at the forefront of the drive to tackle UK homelessness.”
As Jeff explains, most rough sleepers have multiple and complex needs, so the centre works alongside agencies such as the police, public health, prison and probation services. It also offers placements to students from the health and social care degree programmes at UCLan who focus exclusively on individual cases.
“We don’t want a quick fix, we aim to bring about positive long-term change,” he says. “Many homeless people have addiction problems but there are also issues relating to mental health, debt, benefit entitlement and family difficulties. We examine all the issues and come up with plans for improving their circumstances.”
Homelessness has increased dramatically in recent years, with reductions in public services, such as hostel projects, changes to benefits systems and zero hours contracts. Jeff believes the cold spell that gripped the country in March brought the problem into sharper focus for many people.
“During the ‘Beast from the East’ we had over 20 people sleeping on the floor of the centre for 10 nights,” he says. “It took an almighty effort from our outreach workers and volunteers who staffed the centre around the clock, often having to stay awake all night dealing with difficult circumstances.”
The Foxton Centre also works closely with Preston’s sex workers, advising on sexual health and staying safe, but also trying to make sure they are not being coerced or exploited. And it still provides an open access youth club where youngsters can get together in a fun, lively and safe environment.
The centre relies on the generosity of donors to continue its work. “Cash donations are always welcome, and we always need toiletries, new underwear and socks in adult sizes,” says Jeff. “Please check first, though, if you have larger items to donate, as storage can be a problem.”
In November, the centre is launching a year of fundraising leading up to its 50th birthday in November 2019. Details of how people can help will be on the centre’s Facebook page later this year.
