Support for adults

If you are having trouble coping or would benefit from making connections and getting involved in social activities, we can offer three types of support:

Floating support

This is housing related support designed to help you through a housing crisis and to help you resolve any problems you are having maintaining your tenancy. The support offered can be short term or longer term depending on your needs. The aim of the support is to help you before you need other services, for example to help you avoid moving to long term social care or becoming homeless.

The support is provided by community navigators and community assistants. You will be assessed by a community navigator to find out what kind of support you need and what you want to achieve. After this a community navigator and assistant will meet with you to draw up a plan based on your goals such as:

• managing your money
• managing your physical or mental health
• finding work
• feeling safe in your home
• applying for benefits
• arranging repairs or adaptations
• dealing with debt
• registering with a GP or dentist
• practical living skills, and more

We cannot provide accommodation but we can help you look at your housing needs and find out what your options are. Floating support is provided by Riverside Engage Hackney.

Eligibility

You can apply for floating support if you’re over 18 and live in Hackney, or have been placed in temporary accommodation by Hackney Council. You should also have:

• autism or a physical, sensory or learning disability
• support needs if you are an older person
• mental ill health
• a history of offending or substance misuse

or be:

• at risk of domestic violence
• at risk of homelessness or losing accommodation
• a young person at risk, a care leaver or a young parent
• at risk of offending or substance misuse
• vulnerable and at risk of losing your accommodation

Volunteering and befriending

Riverside Engage Hackney also provide a volunteering and befriending service.  They can match you to a suitable volunteer who can provide friendship, emotional support and a small amount of practical support if needed. Volunteers can provide home visits, keep in regular telephone contact and escort you to important appointments of around the community.

We also encourage you to consider how you might volunteer yourself, which can enable you to become more independent, make friends and get involved with your community.

You can get involved with activities such as helping out in the office, organising events, escorting and working one to one with people who need befriending or support.

How to get support

If you or someone you know, would benefit from floating support or volunteering and befriending please contact Riverside Engage Hackney at engagehackney@riverside.org.uk or 0800 953 4044.