WHAT IS CITADEL?
A VOLUNTEER-LED HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROJECT
Citadel is a volunteer-led homelessness prevention project which supports people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to find and/or sustain their tenancies and establish a home. Once volunteers are recruited and trained, they are paired with a person referred to Citadel for support. Co-ordinators and volunteers work closely with people who have been referred, identifying their needs and providing personalised support to help that person find belonging.
Volunteers play a fundamental part in people’s journey from homelessness to belonging. Could you volunteer with people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness to make your community stronger?
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
WHERE WE WORK
Community Connectors
Citadel in North/North-East London
Community Connectors grew out of the Citadel project, which was initially trialled in Wales and then extended to London as a ‘Test and Learn’ project focusing on boroughs in the South East sub-region.
Community Connectors work by recruiting and onboarding local volunteers in the North/North East of London.
Like Citadel, the primary aim of the project is tenancy sustainment – ensuring that people who have experienced any form of homelessness have the support necessary to avoid homelessness recurring after they have secured stable accommodation.
Sanctuary Citadel
Cardiff & Newport
Sanctuary Citadel builds on the proven success of our Citadel work, which shows that people need more than access to housing to rebuild their lives. Wrap-around support, including practical help, trusted relationships and a welcoming community is vital in helping people find a home, sustain their tenancy and feel they belong. For people seeking asylum and newly granted refugees in Wales, these needs are even greater due to additional barriers such as language, complex systems and the impact of trauma. Sanctuary Citadel brings trained volunteers alongside people at this critical point, offering practical support like completing forms and navigating services, so individuals can move forward with stability, dignity and hope.
Become a Volunteer
Homelessness ends with communities
Our volunteer team bring their own life experiences and skills to the Citadel project! Citadel volunteering:
- Is flexible and supportive
- Offers a community, events and meet-ups
- Requires no experience
- Welcomes new ideas and skills
Volunteers adopt a relational, befriending approach. There are a number of other interlinked aims and outcomes:
- Improved mental wellbeing and resilience – through emotional support and a sense of purpose and community.
- Increased community connection – through the bond with a volunteer, establishment of community through regular meet-ups and support to access community groups and local services.
- Improving housing satisfaction – through practical DIY support and support to access furniture/white goods etc, as well as due to an improved sense of place/community connection.
- Increased knowledge of, and access to, local services – through direct support to access and apply for benefits and services.
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