What is Citadel?
VOLUNTEER MODEL FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION
Citadel is a homelessness prevention project which supports people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to find and/or sustain their tenancies and establish a home. We work with volunteers to achieve this.
Once volunteers are recruited, trained and DBS checked, they are matched with a person referred to Citadel by the Local Authority. Volunteers play a fundamental part in people’s journey from homelessness to belonging and are supported by our Citadel Coordinators.
Could you get involved and support someone in your local area? We have volunteer opportunities in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Wrexham.
Our Impact
Tenancy Sustainment and Engagement Rate
PEOPLE SUPPORTED SUSTAINED THEIR TENANCIES FOR 6+ MONTHS
- 71% of these were supported to transition from temporary accommodation to permanent housing and sustained their new tenancy
- 29% of these were supported to sustain their tenancy
ENGAGEMENT RATE ACROSS ALL WORKSTREAMS
Including tenancy sustainment and rapid rehousing in all 3 Local Authorities
Stats from October 2024
Read more about our impact here: Citadel Overview and Impact 2024
Support Provided by Citadel Volunteers
homelessness ends with communities
Our volunteer team bring their own life experiences and skills to the Citadel project! We welcome new ideas and skills, but here are some examples of the support Citadel volunteer offer:
WE NEED YOU! VOLUNTEER WITH US!
VOLUNTEER WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
- Flexible and supportive
- Offers a community, events and meet-ups
- No experience required
- 100% positive feedback from past volunteers who say their role make a tangible difference
- 100% mark our training as good or excellent
- 100% feel their role positively impacted their personal and/or professional development
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
WE HAVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN SWANSEA, NEATH AND WREXHAM
Why Citadel?
Citadel was established when Night Shelters in Wales closed. People with lived experience of homelessness highlighted the need for support during the initial months of a new tenancy. Homelessness often leaves lasting trauma and stress, making stability difficult and housing insecurity a persistent worry. Welsh Government research shows that 90% of people who experienced homelessness still have concerns about housing stability. Additionally, 82% of people supported by Housing Justice Cymru in Night Shelters expressed a desire for ongoing support.
Feedback indicated a need for tailored, person-centred support: ‘Everyone is individual. There are not enough services that treat you like an individual.’ Based on this input, Citadel’s model was designed to prioritise individual needs, with regular feedback from those we support to keep services responsive and relevant.
An example of the difference we can make
Volunteers help make a house a home
IT’S MORE THAN OVERCOMING HOMELESSNESS, IT’S ALSO ABOUT FINDING A PLACE TO BELONG AND FEEL PROUD.
CONTACT US
For Wrexham, email [email protected]
For Neath Port Talbot, email [email protected]
For Swansea, email [email protected]
To discuss anything else Citadel related and our partnership work, email [email protected]
Andrew's Story
Andrew is one of the people we have supported, listen to his story below.
Are you a co-op member?
Help People Facing Homelessness
Select us as your chosen cause and we’ll receive money when you shop (for free).
You can do this here.
If you’re not a member it only costs £1 to become one and you can do so via the same link as above.
;
