Stepping Stone Projects

Our support services are aimed at helping our customers to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to maintain a stable home and a structured lifestyle before assisting them in the process of securing or retaining permanent independent accommodation.

Our services include:

• Complex Needs Service - Rochdale
• General Floating Support - Rochdale
• Long term low level general needs - Middleton
• Male only service - Heywood
• Rochdale safer communities

The service consists of 16 self-contained fully furnished flats in a grouped accommodation setting at Redfearn House with communal facilities including garden, laundry, trainer kitchen, meeting room, and access to IT. We also offer another 15 independent properties dispersed within the community

Our staff based at Redfearn House are available 24/7, working with clients on a one-to-one basis to deliver a package of support that is specific to individual needs. Staff specialise in delivering housing-related support but will work with a variety of specialist service providers in order to deliver a coordinated approach for people who have additional support needs.

Who is eligible for the service?

The Complex Needs service is for single homeless people (male and female) in need of both housing-related support and high-level complex needs support. Clients must be aged 18 and over with a local connection to Rochdale.

What support will clients receive?

At the move-in stage, the allocated Resettlement Worker will complete an induction programme with each new client. Following this, they will arrange an appointment with the client to agree upon a support plan, which is devised and agreed with the client, Resettlement Worker and any other agencies that the clients would like to be involved.

Support that can be offered, include:

• Advice on housing rights and responsibilities.
• Support to develop the skills and capacity needed to meet their obligations as a tenant.
• Support accessing specialist agencies e.g. mental health and substance misuse issues.
• Support in applying for benefits, grants and loans (including help with forms).
• Support to assist individuals with budgeting, paying bills and managing debts etc.
• Joint Working with specialist support services/agencies.
• Support in accessing employment, voluntary work opportunities, training and education.
• Help building self-confidence.
• Support to develop independent living skills, including in a shared environment.
• Help to access and maintain suitable long-term accommodation when the client is ready to move on.

How to access the service

Referrals to the scheme can be made by contacting our Central Referral Team on 01706 359600 or via e-mail at crt@stepping-stone.org.uk – an electronic e-mail form will be sent to you to complete.

Once a referral form is received, we will arrange a Needs Assessment interview with the applicant; if they meet the criteria they will be placed on the waiting list for service.

If you need help with life skills and tenancy support or fleeing domestic violence and cannot stay in the local authority area, see Rochdale Life Skills and Tenancy Support Service on our website.