Community Inclusion project will offer satellite drop-in support services across Leicestershire offering advice and companionship for anyone with issues relating to homelessness, isolation, health or lifestyle. The project will seek to create sustainable communities by enabling ex-service users to become Peer Mentors and local community members to volunteer. The Muto Bus will provide the opportunity to upcycle seized counterfeit goods and offer a range work related skills.
The 'revolving door of homelessness' is a familiar problem across the country. Shelter's report on sustaining tenancies say that "more than a third of tenancies in the social sector are not sustained, with more than a quarter failing within six months of letting." Reasons for this include loneliness, insecurity in a new home, unmet support needs, costs and problems with welfare benefits resulting in debt and arrears and issues ranging from poor literacy to alcohol problems or severe depression.
Sustainable communities is at the heart of the Community Inclusion Project. The satellite drop-in services will operate on the same principles as a successful drop-in based in Loughborough. By providing hot food, companionship and individualised support the service will aim to encourage ex-service users to be peer mentors and the local community to volunteer. The drop-ins will provide safe social spaces, an opportunity to connect with the local community and Muto will offer work ready skills.
The drop-in services will be set up in six districts across Leicestershire offering 5 sessions per week initially for 30 weeks of the year. Muto Bus upcycling and reworking of trading standards seized goods will provide workshops in each of the districts providing a wide range of skill development including creative, business, IT and retail opportunities. Peer mentors and volunteers will have varied training including first aid and food hygiene. Each district will have a sustainable group.
