Folkestone Charity Leader Visits Cornwall Housing Project

A charity leader from Folkestone has visited Cornwall to learn more about how people with complex needs are supported through specialist housing services.

Harbour Housing welcomed Mary Stredwick, Chief Executive of Rainbow Centre, to its supported housing project in St Austell. The visit forms part of Rainbow Centre’s plans to develop its own supported housing offer.

📷Left to Right: Mary Stredwick, Chief Executive of Rainbow Centre, Alex Dean, Head of Supported Housing, Harbour Housing and Rachel Battleday, Head of People and Communications, Harbour Housing in our welfare vehicle.

Sharing experience and learning

During the visit, Mary met with staff, toured Harbour’s services, and observed how support is delivered on the ground.

She also saw Harbour’s Street Outreach Hotspot work in action. The outreach is delivered in partnership with the Police and supported by Cornwall’s Safer Partnerships and Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner. The work aims to engage rough sleepers and help reduce anti-social behaviour.

Mary Stredwick said:

“I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the work Harbour Housing is doing and learning from it as we develop our own supported housing journey.”

📷Mary Stredwick, Chief Executive of Rainbow Centre and Alex Dean, Head of Supported Housing, Harbour Housing.

Focus on supporting complex needs

The visit also included discussions around Harbour Housing’s high-tolerance, trauma-informed approach, which focuses on supporting individuals with complex needs.

Alex Dean, Head of Supported Housing at Harbour Housing, said:

“We spoke openly about the challenges of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, making sure it’s lived in practice, not just written on paper, and that it doesn’t unintentionally exclude those with the most complex needs.”

The visit highlights ongoing efforts to share knowledge and improve support for people experiencing homelessness, both in Cornwall and beyond.

📷Left to Right: Mary Stredwick, Chief Executive of Rainbow Centre, Alex Dean, Head of Supported Housing, Harbour Housing and Rachel Battleday, Head of People and Communications, Harbour Housing.