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
Video below is for England only and excludes project areas in Wales.
CITADEL PAST & FUTURE
WHERE IT STARTED, WHERE WE HOPE TO GO
Citadel was established in Wales under Housing Justice Cymru in 2020. Our work in Wales spans across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Wrexham, where, on average, 90% people remain engaged in the project, and 95% sustain their tenancies for at least 6 months after seeking support.
Citadel was initially set up to support guests following their move on from Night Shelters. The need for further support, during the initial months of obtaining a tenancy was highlighted by those we support with lived experience of homelessness. Further feedback from people experiencing homelessness showed that more tailored support is needed, which focuses on the person and ‘what matters’ to each individual.
Following the impact made in Wales, Citadel is now running in 5 areas in England: South East London, Bristol, Cornwall, Sheffield and Hastings and if you live in one of these areas we need your help!
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Citadel Overview and Impact October 2024
Citadel – Observations July 2024
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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.
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.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
SIGN UP HERE
TAKE PART IN RESEARCH
Are you being supported by Citadel? Take part in research to help us understand how we can improve our service. You will get a £20 voucher for each survey you complete! Find out more:
INSTAGRAM
