Lifeline is a registered charity based in Harrogate which aims to serve Harrogate and district by representing the Churches in the area in providing move-on accommodation Lifeline works with Harrogate Homeless Project and other agencies to house those who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness. By providing people with a home to live in we give them that all-important ‘leg-up’ which enables them to begin to rebuild their lives. Lifeline works with the residents to help them in all aspects of their lives. We always make sure that they understand that the house is “their home”, whilst at the same time helping and supporting them to take those all important next steps to progress their lives and move on from Lifeline to live independently. We have had many residents leave Lifeline into fully independent living with a job and a new sense of hope in their lives!
Lifeline began housing formerly homeless people in our first Green Pastures house in February 2013. Since then over 60% of the men we have housed have gone on to live fully independent lives and over 60% of our residents have found paid work. We have seen salvations, baptisms, healing from addictions, and many successful moves into their own accommodation. Lifeline runs a fortnightly lunch club for its residents, as well having a cooking evening in each of the houses every second month. Lifeline employs support workers covering all of our residents providing intensive one to one support, as well as signposting to agencies who work in partnership with Lifeline.
We are continually inspired by the scripture in the book of Isaiah which says "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." That is our guiding principle. Only when people have this can they ever hope to progress onto the next step in their lives.
Lifeline is currently looking at providing move-on accommodation in other parts of the Harrogate district, not just in Harrogate. We are also working with the Police and the Council to see if we might extend our work to providing tailored support to those people who are leaving prison. A women's supported house is also being looked at and research is being undertaken to see what, if any, are the additional challenges that will be applicable.