Two programmes that provide health, wellbeing and support services to people experiencing marginalisation are set to continue thanks to funding from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
This month, it has been approved that Humankind will keep delivering the successful Barnsley Recovery Steps initiative which have provided drug and alcohol recovery support to more than 3,600 people since it launched in 2017.
The free and confidential service offers people support with physical or emotional or needs, runs group works and one-to-one sessions, and provides harm reduction options including testing for Hepatitis C.
The charity has also received funding to continue delivering Thrive, a programme which provides emergency accommodation and support to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or struggling with their mental or physical health.
Jo Ekin, Senior Commissioning Manager at Barnsley Council, said “This is an exciting opportunity for Barnsley Council and Humankind to continue working together in partnership to continue to deliver this much-needed provision. We are keen to continue to develop innovative solutions for people and this decision allows us the opportunity to further build on the successes of the services.”
Emily Todd, Regional Director at Humankind, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue providing a high standard of support to people in Barnsley who use drugs and alcohol, or have additional health or housing needs. Since the service launched five years ago, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people completing their treatment and we are keen to keep building on this success and help more people.”
In addition to providing clinical treatment and recovery support, Barnsley Recovery Steps also offers education, training and employment opportunities, and helps connect people to other services.
Humankind also operates community housing locations in Barnsley, including longer term accommodation, and delivers Umbrella which is a mental health and counselling service.
