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What We Do

Providing Help & Support to the Homeless & Vulnerably Housed
We are different

What is Catching Lives?

Catching Lives is an independent charity aimed at supporting the rough sleepers, homeless and vulnerably housed in Canterbury and East Kent; those 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 our clients to help them to tackle any issues that they may have, get 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

We provide mental health support daily with trained specialists, including mental health outreach in the community. We have regular drop-in nurse and podiatrist sessions and a dedicated medical room for treatment.

Community Links

We are dedicated to working with local schools, universities, businesses and other charitable organisations to provide work experience placements, enrichment days and art and wellbeing activities for the local community.

Canterbury Open Centre

Our daycentre (Station Road East, Canterbury) is open 9-2pm 7 days a week for homeless clients.

 

Our Services:

Food & Drink

Breakfast and a freshly prepared lunch are available to clients daily, as well as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cold drinks.

Laundry

Clients are responsible for doing their own laundry using our onsite washing machines, and dryers. We supply the detergent.

Clothes Bank

Clients have access to a donated supply of clothes, including warm coats and new hats & gloves.

Toilets & Showers

Our toilets & showers are regularly cleaned by our team of volunteers and we provide a range of toiletries and clean towels.

Storage

Rough sleepers have access to a small area wherein they can store belongings that they can’t carry with them; or are particularly personally valuable.

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 a computer at our Day Centre, to assist with tasks such as making a homeless application, job searches and emails.

Mental Health Outreach Service

We have two onsite Mental Health Specialists who support clients with any mental health issues that may have led a client to become homeless and with any mental health issues that may be a result of homelessness.

Nurse and Podiatrist Drop-In

Our regular drop-in sessions with our nurse and podiatrist are essential for our clients to access medical assistance. We also offer help with registering with a GP.

Forward Trust Appointments

Offering support for clients who are experiencing drug or alcohol misuse (and needle exchange).

Signposting

We can signpost clients to all manner of specialist agencies such as organisations supporting victims of domestic abuse or those who have served in the armed forces.

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