The Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership (GMBOP) – who contract Gateway services as a delivery partner – have won the ‘Demonstrating Impact’ prize at this year’s Homeless Link Excellence Awards.
They were awarded for their Pathfinder Project, which aims to prevent youth homelessness through early intervention and tailored support.
The ‘Demonstrating Impact’ award recognises organisations that can clearly demonstrate their effectiveness in supporting people facing homelessness, and their ability to learn from what works.
Rachel O’Connor, Programme Director, Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnerships, said: “Receiving the award is a true honour for the GMBOP Pathfinder project. This recognition is a wonderful testament to our whole team’s dedication and hard work in creating meaningful change for those at risk of homelessness.”
Through GMBOP, Gateway deliver in four areas of the Greater Manchester footprint, providing support to prevent homelessness to young people. The overall project has achieved a 70% prevention rate and helped over 1500 young people so far.
What is Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder programme is designed for young people across all boroughs of Greater Manchester who are at risk of homelessness. This includes those who are unable to live with family or are currently ‘sofa-surfing’ with friends.
Focusing on 18-25-year-olds (and those up to 35), Pathfinder supports those dealing with instability/debt, risk of eviction, relationship breakdowns or unstable/insecure accommodation by providing coaching, sustained accommodation, wellbeing support and activities.
Kate Cunliffe, Homelessness and Prevention Services Lead at Gateway said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this exciting project as an extension of the work we do across the Northwest to reduce homelessness”.
She continued: “Finding and listening to people at the early stages of issues starting to escalate is where you can really help. We can support someone to find the right path and prevent them from hitting crisis which can be so damaging”.
Learn more about our Pathfinder services or read more about the Homeless Link Excellence Awards here.