North Northamptonshire Council’s Never Give Up Project Team is making a significant difference to the lives of people sleeping rough in the region. The Never Give Up Project is an accommodation scheme comprising 10 self-contained, newly refurbished flats for the most complex rough sleepers without the constraints that other supported accommodation provisions often have in place.

 

However, the standout element of the project is the team that runs it. The team’s overall objective is to support people who have been sleeping rough for an extended period of time, and are experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness, to gradually be able to sustain an independent tenancy.

 

This team’s work goes beyond basic support, however. They are known for their creative solutions to help people stay on track. For example, they have used art therapy to help individuals cope with grief, arranged special banking accommodations to prevent exploitation, accompanied residents to the supermarket, and even set up piano lessons. These efforts help build trust and enable long-term progress. 

 

The team’s determination and dedication continue to drive positive outcomes. 

 

The judges said:

“The application clearly demonstrates the passion and the tenacity of the small team that is having a life-changing impact for individuals as well as the wider community. A very impressive application”