Charities urge MLAs to Keep On Supporting People

Campaigners, representing the 106 organisations that provide services under the Supporting People programme, are calling on MLAs to commit to continuing these services for vulnerable people.

Pictured with Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey MLA are Michael Abiona (NIACRO service user), Patricia Hyde, Declan O’Neill and Alex Patterson (Triangle), and  Moira McKeown (NIACRO).

Funding cuts

Funding for Supporting People schemes has been frozen for seven years. Providers warn that the future of these services is in danger unless the programme is strengthened and properly funded by the NI Executive.

Cameron Watt, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations said

“Supporting People has been an immense success, enabling thousands of people to sustain their accommodation and live with as much independence as possible… Supporting People must be properly resourced to remain effective and continue delivering strongly for Northern Ireland”

What is supporting people?

The Supporting People programme provides over 880 housing related support services to groups across Northern Ireland, including

• older people
• women at risk of domestic violence
• people with mental health problems
• people with learning disabilities and
• homeless people.

Support ranges from accommodation based services; where residents of particular hostels or supported living units have on site assistance with a range of issue to floating support that helps people to live independently in their own homes.

Find out more about Supporting People and show your commitment

Stay up to date with the Keep On Supporting People campaign on Facebook.