Homelessness isn’t just the distressing sight of people sleeping rough in tents or shop doorways.
It’s also the young people who are sofa surfing, the families who are in temporary accommodation, and anyone who’s living at risk of violence or abuse in the home and is unable to find alternative accommodation. Covid national lockdowns and the rising cost of living has increased this problem and homelessness is on the rise across the UK.
Frome is no exception and the results can be devastating. We know homelessness can lead to mental and physical health issues, the loss of support networks, and an inability to work or even register for benefits.
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Any information, links or suggestions provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. FACLT does not provide legal advice and our content does not constitute a client-solicitor relationship.
FACLT runs a Facebook group – the Frome Housing Noticeboard – which was set up to make it easier for anyone who is searching for, or advertising a place to rent, lodge or house-sit in Frome.
You can report a rough sleeper (including yourself) to the Outreach Team via Streetlink.
Their street outreach teams will attempt to verify the individual as soon as possible, this is usually within 48 hours of receiving the notification. Outreach is conducted late at night or in the early hours of the morning to maximise the chances of locating people believed to be rough sleeping.
The outreach teams are highly skilled and have many years of experience in positively engaging and supporting customers with complex needs. They are able to undertake thorough needs assessments to identify any support needs. All support offered is bespoke to the individual.
For this reason, you may not see an immediate change in the person’s circumstances. It can take many interactions to build trust and be able to complete our assessments.
You can access the webpage about homelessness advice from Shelter here.
This page provides comprehensive guidance on how to get help from local councils if you’re currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless soon.
It covers emergency and temporary housing, legal rights, and specific advice for different groups such as young people, victims of domestic abuse, and those affected by relationship breakdowns.
There are also sections on what to do if facing homelessness due to financial difficulties, leaving prison, or after military service, as well as information for non-UK nationals.
The Citizens Advice Bureau offers free advice and support on housing, benefits and other issues. Their full website can be accessed here.
Community Access Point based in Frome Town Hall. Mondays 10am-3pm
Staffed by a small team of advisers from Citizens Advice Somerset. Each client’s issues will be assessed and triaged face to face, and a decision made on how best to offer them further advice. This may include a future telephone or a face-to-face appointment or an advice email, or clients may be given initial next steps or signposting and invited to re-contact if needed.
There are lots of different ways to contact them.
Somerset County Council has a duty of care towards anyone who is vulnerable, which includes children and vulnerable adults.
To report a child or an adult at risk please phone:
If you are threatened with homelessness within 56 days, you should make a homeless application to Somerset Council which is our local housing authority.
A Housing Officer will then assess your needs and issue you with a Personalised Housing Plan to try to resolve your housing situation.
This could include negotiating for you to keep your current home or helping you secure either temporary or long-term housing.
Homefinder Somerset is a partnership between Somerset Council and housing associations with homes in Somerset.
All council or housing association homes for rent in Somerset are advertised on Homefinder Somerset. Please note that Somerset is the area covered by Somerset Council. It does not include the North Somerset council area, which includes Weston-Super-Mare, or the Bath and North East Somerset council area.
People who are registered with Homefinder Somerset can view the homes being advertised and say which homes they would like to be considered for. This is called bidding, but does not involve any money.
It takes around half an hour to register, after which you are banded (emergency/gold/silver/bronze) and can bid on up to three properties each week.
There’s a shortage of places in Frome, but the longer you’re on the register, the greater your chance of a home.
Mendip YMCA works with young people aged 18 – 25 years who are at risk of homelessness.
You can visit their website here.
They can help you access supported accommodation such as the Frome Foyer, and to find and maintain accommodation in the private rented sector, as well as to get access to training, education and employment
Community Connect, operated by Connect Community Church, provides support for individuals in the Mendip area facing complex needs like homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues.
The service offers person-centered support through drop-ins, professional counselling, and skill development for employability.
Community Connect collaborates with key organizations to access a wider range of services, aiming to empower individuals towards positive change. For more details or to contact them, you can visit their website here.
Fair Frome is a charitable organization focused on alleviating various forms of inequality in Frome and surrounding areas.
Services are generally provided via a referral.
They offer several community support services:
Food bank – open 3 days a week and supports community members in Frome and the surrounding BA11 area by providing emergency food parcels
Baby basics bank – helps provide families, and parents with essential baby and toddler equipment such as baby cots, high chairs, baby baths, prams and
pushchairs, weaning item plus other baby items
Furniture bank – works to support the local community with essential household items
including furniture, white goods, kitchen items, small electricals and
tvs. Where possible they will repair cookers and washing machines.
Community Pantry – open every Tuesday from 2pm-4.30pm in the Elliott Building at the Frome Town Hall.
Food at Five – program providing hot meals three days a week for those on low incomes or benefits.
For more information you can visit their website here.
The Bridge Cafe at 43 Selwood Road, Frome, is a place where people with mental health problems, homelessness or other issues may be able to find support, warmth and affordable food and drinks. The Cafe is open Tuesday to Friday from 11.00am-1.30pm
The Good Heart is a pay-it-forward vegetarian café at 7 Palmer Street (just off Catherine Hill) that offers free hot meals out of the cold.
All welcome: weekdays 10am – 3pm
The Community Fridge and Larder are currently located at Frome Town Hall. They are open Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
A dedicated team of volunteers collects the food from local shops and food outlets, and records the food in the Fridge’s log-book. The food is then available for anyone to take and make use of.
Email: info@fromeareaclt.org
Frome Town Hall
Christchurch Street West
Frome BA11 3EB
© Frome Area Community Land Trust. All rights reserved.