SOUTHEND’s leading homeless charity, Harp, has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing antisocial behaviour while continuing its mission to support rough sleepers.
Harp is consistently praised for its transformative efforts with homeless individuals and drug users across the city, boasting numerous success stories. The charity’s leadership has pledged to prevent further complaints from neighbours regarding antisocial behaviour.
This comes after an incident on Tuesday night when a resident was arrested, and armed police were seen outside Harp’s hostel on Westcliff Park Drive.
Community Engagement and Action
A spokesperson for Harp stated:
“Harp is aware of the issues at the property, and we have been in regular contact with neighbours to discuss concerns and take necessary action.
We recently managed a move for one resident to another property and are imminently installing a smoking shelter in the garden.
The seven residents living at this property have been residing in other Harp properties for some time, without issue, which is why our team assessed them as ready for the next stage in their journey to independent living.
The service at Westcliff Park Drive is a ‘low-needs’ step-down service, meaning residents live independently, cooking their own meals and going out to work or volunteering. However, Harp staff still regularly visit them and provide on-call support 24/7.”
Supporting Vulnerable Individuals
Harp is renowned for its work with previously street-homeless individuals, many of whom have faced significant trauma. The spokesperson added:
“We are all human, and occasionally the people we work with may struggle more than others, especially with change.
A move such as this was always going to impact people differently, and sometimes they may make mistakes, or their mental health might fluctuate.
We apologise to residents for any distress this is causing and want to emphasise that we are committed to working with them to overcome the issues and challenges, allowing our residents to live independently without harassment.”
Success Stories
Harp, which provides accommodation for 264 people across Southend, recently launched their 56-bed Bluebird development to widespread acclaim. Among their success stories is “John” (name changed to protect identity), who has benefited greatly from Harp’s support.
The spokesperson shared John’s story:
“The residents we support include John, who, after a break-up, was made homeless.
He has a range of health problems and was unable to continue working in his chosen trade.
We have supported him in accessing health services, including signing up with a GP, and we have brokered life skills training.
Thanks to the support from Harp, he now has safe and stable accommodation, is volunteering, and is building back his confidence, ready to find alternative employment.”
Harp’s ultimate aim is for all the individuals they support to reintegrate into the community, have a home, and know how to access help in the future should they need it.