Sanctuary Supported Living is working with Deal Area Emergency Foodbank to help people with housing issues.

The housing service provides support and life skills for independent living, it also provides ‘floating’ services dealing with rent arrears, benefit issues and reducing social isolation.

Funded by Kent County Council, the service works with other professionals, agencies and individuals and has strong links with voucher holders at the Foodbank.

Foodbank project co-ordinator Julia Thompson said: “Sanctuary Supported Living has an amazing team of support workers who all go the extra mile to help clients.

“Our partnership is really effective as we can provide help as needed via our outlets or with emergency supplies and we refer clients to them where they have housing issues and have seen some wonderful outcomes.

“We are indebted to our community who donate the food for us to operate the Foodbank and to our partners like Sanctuary Supported Living, who are often available at our outlets, to step in and provide that support and care in complete anonymity.”

One client, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I had my benefits stopped and no money to buy food and when I told my support worker she immediately gave me a voucher for the Foodbank. I couldn’t believe how much food they gave me. It made me cry as I have never had to ask for food before. I don’t know what I would have done without this help.”

Deal Foodbank has strong partnerships with local front line agencies who have the skills to help resolve wide-ranging issues from debt management, benefit, employment and skills to family matters.

For more information about floating support, contact Helen Jenkinson, local services manager on 07436 805247 or helen.jenkinson@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.

For more information on Foodbank, visit the website at www.dealarea.foodbank.org.uk.