Your Questions Answered

How can I get help from First Step? 

Either by referrals from N-Somerset Council, Somewhere to Go, The Salvation Army, Impact Team, The Probation Service, Local Prisons, Royal British Legion, Local Charitable Organisations or straight off the street by recommendation. Furthermore, persons coming through a Community Detox scheme, who are now in need of a support package, can also apply. 

What Remedial Help and Support do First Step provide?

Following relevant background checks, First Step Housing will provide:- 

- Accommodation that includes Full Board and Lodging. 

- A fully tailored individual Counselling and Support program provided by our own Team Members, who have come from a  Homeless background, some form of addiction and / or, an unsettled way of life.

- Access to all our resources and other organisations which include:-  Somewhere to Go, The Salvation Army, Food Bank, Welfare Provision Scheme, Local and National Charitable Organisations and local Second-hand shops, (which assist with clothing and furniture), plus additional household items, if needed.

What about  Accommodation and Facilities?

Most of our properties are available on a shared housing basis which are provided 7 days a week at no cost to the Tenants. These shared properties we refer to as H.M.O’s (Houses of Multiple Occupation), and within them we provide :-.

• Daily Breakfasts (Full English), 
• “Fare Share” Weekly Food Packs, 
• Free WiFi Internet access,
• All Utilities which includes (Gas, Electric, Council Tax)
• Insurance,
• Sky TV 

Also, under certain circumstances and criteria we have available a number of Studio, 1 and 2 Bed flats that HMO tenants can progress to. We can also provide, Temporary Emergency Housing, subject to an agreement with North Somerset Council.

First Step Housing also have a number of “Dry Houses”– which are divided between – Shared Abstinent, Shared Scripted or Supported Studio Flats.  As well as, to aid  progression into totally Independent Living,  a number of  1 and 2 Bed Shared Flats.

Counselling and Support

Counselling and the supporting of our tenants/clients are one of the major reasons for our success in stabilising your current situation, and in helping you to maintain an abstinent way of life, which when achieved can lead to “Move On” independent living.

Therefore as part of our Tenancy conditions First Step Housing  expect all their tenants to participate in whatever personal Support programs are agreed with them. These will/could include:-

• Weekly Support Meetings
• “One to One” personal meetings
• Random Drug & Alcohol Testing
• Signposting to external Agencies.
• Accompaniment to Medical Services
• Support at DWP Appeal meetings

As an example:-

Daily activities include :–

- Therapeutic Duties which are Mandatory,

- Engagement with various applicable Agencies,

- Daily Meetings with Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous

- Step Programme Work.

We also recommend our clients/tenants engage with some form of Community Work as Volunteers or sign up for College Courses.

Furthermore, Engagement with Addaction and associated relevant Group work is highly encouraged as is a nominated Key worker

There are many Agencies within the Weston super mare area providing all the positive facilities to help you achieve a wholesome recovery, which First Step Housing fully endorses.

In return

What do First Step expect from their clients/tenants

You will arrive at FSH, generally having passed through various stages of – Detoxification and Primary and Secondary Stage Recoveries. This will likely have been achieved at residential homes such as Broadway Lodge, Western Counselling, Sefton Park etc.

This transition to FSH we know can be the most testing period of any Residential Rehabilitation programme, and we recognise this problem by providing a “Glass Bridge”(seamless progression into the community).

Alternatively, you may have had a relapse in a similar 3rd Stage Recovery Programmes (similar to ours) and now need a fresh start.

We know that regardless of your circumstances it will not be easy for you, nevertheless we expect 

100% COMMITMENT

FROM YOU.

And in return you will get

100% COMMITMENT

FROM US.

This is why our Tenancy Conditions are so rigorous. Because we know that  our commitment and what we can give you, provides you with an incentive while progressing through your particular Recovery Steps. 

Also to ensure your and all our existing clients/tenants safety, you must also be prepared for us to carry out whatever background checks we deem necessary, which will/may include one with the Police to identify any criminal history and its possible implications.

What will it cost me?

You will need to be on some form of DWP Benefit to enable your Housing Benefits to be paid directly to FSH. Other than that, NOTHING but your

100% COMMITMENT

How do I enrol

which means that we have a deep understanding with the prospective Service Users.

Our definition of the programme we are providing is “A Bridge To Normal Living”, a transition from a chaotic lifestyle to one of stability. 

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