Response
Response was founded in 2020. Due to the pandemic we were unable to make a real start with our aims until Marvin Barrett took over as project manager for Response in January of 2022. It is our aim to make this community a better place by tackling homelessness, mental health and loneliness head one. We wanted to create a space where anyone could go, share their problems and be given real help and guidance to improve their life, situation and future.
We are a welcoming non judgemental group that will provide both immediate and long term assistance especially for basic needs along with an action plan for the long term.
Here at Response we understand individuality and try our utmost to keep this at the forefront of everything we do. We achieve this by being open-minded, non judgemental and empathetic to support the public and those most in need. With this in mind our number one priority is always to the people who benefit from our services and those in need of guidance and advice.
Every Tuesday between 10am and 12pm Response is open to support homeless people with anything they are struggling with. This includes, mental health issues, financial issues, benefits and housing. During this time
At response we have trained staff and volunteers who can offer a safe environment for the public to come and make use of our facilities, gain internet access to research issues and/or make appointments, book in and use our counselling service which is available immediately with NO WAIT or just grab a well needed warm meal.
Response aims to reach 4 main areas of support where we will work with other local organisations, charities and community groups to offer a complete package of care.
1: Counselling
Mental Health all to often affects those surviving through Homelessness and at Response we understand this and have the opportunity to offer counselling with a “no wait” time, unlike other local services with a waiting list of up to 16 weeks. This is free one to one counselling in a private setting where personal issues can be discussed with professional qualified counsellors and trainee student counsellors.
2: Online Access and Support
Response offers a comfortable setting where online computer access can be gained from 2 computers available at any one time. Support staff will be on hand to help clients search for housing, arrange appointments or just general use online to contact family or friends.
3: A Warm Meal
Every Tuesday and Thursday at Response from 12pm warm meals and drinks will be available to all in need, prioritising homeless people, prepared by food trained volunteers and staff.
4: Sign Posting
Working with outside agencies will be one of our main focus points at Response so that we can broaden the level of support and make clients more aware of the help that is available within Bolton. One to one assessments will take part with the client to gain a detailed background report and set small achievable goals through ourselves and other agencies.
