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What We Do

Providing Help & Support to the Homeless & Vulnerably Housed

What is Catching Lives?

Catching Lives is an independent charity supporting people who are sleeping rough, homeless or insecurely housed in Canterbury and East Kent; people who have, for many reasons, fallen through the gaps in society and feel they have nowhere else to turn.

 

Our vision is of a society where all are included and all, no matter how disadvantaged, can make a contribution. Catching Lives works towards ending the harm caused to individuals, families and the community, by homelessness, rough sleeping and insecure housing. We do this by offering immediate respite at our project in Canterbury: the Canterbury Open Centre. In addition to this, we work with people to address any issues that they may have, to access to suitable accommodation and find the motivation to take steps towards personal recovery and independent living.

Tackling Homelessness

We provide advice and support with making a homeless application, researching housing options, accessing work and training, as well as welfare and benefits.

Medical & Mental Health Support

Mental health support is available Mon-Weds with our mental health specialist, Karen. We have regular health drop-in sessions including a nurse from Kent Community Healthcare on Friday mornings, and a dedicated medical room for treatment.

Community Links

We work with local universities, businesses, schools and charities to raise awareness about homelessness and our services. We host student placements and corporate volunteering sessions on-site and provide speakers for community groups and school assemblies.

Canterbury Open Centre

Our day centre (Station Road East, Canterbury) is open for drop-in every day 9am-2pm (1.30pm Weds) for people who are homeless or insecurely housed.

 

Our Services:

Food & Drink

Breakfast (toast, cereal, baked beans 9-10.30am) and a freshly prepared two-course lunch (12.45-1.45pm) are available to clients daily. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cold drinks and biscuits are self-service during opening hours. Please tell staff at reception about any dietary requirements.

Laundry

Clients are responsible for doing their own laundry using our on-site washing machines and dryers. We supply the detergent. Please book at reception.

Clothes Bank

People sleeping rough have access to a supply of donated clothes, including underwear, warm coats, hats & gloves.

Toilets & Showers

Our toilets & showers were refurbished in autumn 2023. We provide clean towels and a range of toiletries.

Storage

People sleeping rough can access a secure room to store one bag/suitcase of belongings to reduce the amount the need to carry and to safeguard valuables.

Postal Address

Clients can use the Day Centre as a postal address, which is essential for claiming benefits, looking for work, or registering with a GP.

Telephone, Computer & Internet Access

Clients have access to wifi and computers at our Day Centre, either for tasks such as making a homeless application, job searches and emails or for leisure, studying and social networks. People can use our phone to contact other agencies that they’re working with.

Mental Health Support

We have an on-site Mental Health Specialist called Karen who works Mon-Weds, supporting clients with any mental health issues that may have.

Nurse Drop-In

Our regular Friday drop-in sessions with Theresa, a Kent Community Healthcare nurse, are essential for our clients to access medical assistance and get help to register with a GP. We also have health days with other services such as podiatry and DentAid.

Forward Trust Appointments

Offering support for clients who are experiencing drug or alcohol misuse on Tuesdays. Needle exchange is also available 7 days a week, ask at reception.

Signposting

We can signpost people to all manner of specialist agencies such as domestic abuse support and veterans’ charities.

Want to get involved?

Check out our volunteering opportunities on our Volunteer page, or get in touch with volunteer@catchinglives.org if you’d like to discuss potential volunteering opportunities.

Become a Volunteer