19 June 2007
Social Exclusion Minister Pat McFadden yesterday visited a Thames Reach project in Southwark, where he met with staff and former homeless people who have been helped by the charity to move forward with their lives.
The visit coincided with the government’s announcement of £6 million of funding over three years to support 12 new projects that tackle the social exclusion of vulnerable adults.
Thames Reach has received funding for a pilot project in Southwark and Lewisham to help socially excluded adults find and keep a job. It will provide one-to-one and group support to ease the difficult transition into employment for people who have often lacked stability in their lives.
During his visit to Southwark Reach, a scheme that helps vulnerable individuals across the borough, the Minister heard first-hand the obstacles that people with experience of homelessness often face when trying to find work, and discussed ways to overcome them.
Today’s funding announcement came out of the Social Exclusion Action Plan, launched last year, in which the government outlined its approach to help those who face chronic social exclusion.
People with multiple and complex needs often bounce from one service provider to another, never receiving the overall support they require. The problems they face include childhood abuse, addictions, mental health issues and homelessness. These can lead to poor health, behavioural problems, social exclusion and unemployment.
Pat McFadden said: “When adults experience such extreme difficulties in their own lives, there is a huge impact on them, services and everyone around them."
He added: “Dealing with these multiple issues service by service can be a bit like looking at a series of snapshots instead of at the whole movie.
“We need to ensure the systems in place to help people are working together better. The Pilot projects we are supporting today are designed to help people get their lives on a more positive track."
Jeremy Swain, Chief Executive of Thames Reach, said: “We are impressed at the Government's commitment to not giving up on the most excluded people in our society and delighted to have the opportunity of working in partnership with the Social Exclusion Task Force to rebuild shattered lives.”
