SPACES

The Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex Services, SPACES, is a project based within the Resettlement/Welfare complex at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. It provides an accommodation placement service for single personnel being discharged from all three services. The service is run by ECHG (a subsidiary of The Riverside Group), working in partnership with the MoD.

The overall aims and objectives of the project are to assist single service leavers to secure appropriate accommodation as they leave the Armed Forces. In doing so we will be reducing the likelihood of them becoming homeless or rough sleepers. Single service leavers can be vulnerable to homelessness as a result of a combination of factors: having no home to return to after service, little understanding of how to secure rented accommodation and current legislation, little or no experience of budgeting and setting up home.

Client Group

We specifically target the most vulnerable group of service leavers, especially those with less than 6 years' service, although SPACES will work with any single service leaver regardless of their length of service or reason for discharge.

SPACES compliments the work of other agencies, e.g. the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO), Service Resettlement Organisation, Service Welfare Organisation, and the Departments of Community Mental Health.

Continuing Support

When the client is discharged they will be given a 'Future Contact' card that will have an 0800 number for them to contact us when they require advice on moving to new accommodation, or if they become homeless, finding subsequent accommodation.

Staff can maintain contact for as long as the client requires the service, and will help to deal with any housing issues that may arise.

MCTC

ECHG also manage a housing service operating within the Military Corrective Training Centre at Colchester. Its primary aim is to access appropriate accommodation for MCTC short term leavers, dealing with all housing issues within MCTC by working closely with the Head of Welfare and staff.