Our Services

Basic Services

The basic services that are made available to clients include the provision of one hot meal a day (either breakfast or lunch), all day coffee and tea, and access to shower and laundry facilities. We also provide a stock of clothes and toiletries which are available for use by the clients.

Health Management

SHOC provides assistance to register with a GP, advice, support and referrals around substance misuse, needle exchange and emotional support. There is a Specialist Sex Worker Project where advice and help is given on sexual health and safer drug uses as well as other relevant services. This project is funded by the Lankelly Chase Foundation.

SHOC works closely with other care agencies including Equinox and Turning Point.
Equinox
Turning Point

Advocacy / Accommodation

We help clients to obtain accommodation and sustain their tenancies. We attend meetings with clients to support their rights. SHOC works closely with the Slough Borough Council Housing Department.

Slough Borough Council Housing Dept.  

Financial Management

We provide advice on which benefits are available and how to claim them. Clients have access to a phone free of charge to make a claim and apply for grants. We help with managing debts and finances.

Education

At our Springboard Learning Centre our clients can learn the basic skills they need to find work and manage their lives more effectively. Clients go through a process of needs assessment, leading to learning plans which are then actioned through the provision of courses. Clients are offered the support of a one to one mentor while they attend courses. The courses offered include:

• Basic Skills
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Money management
• Life Skills
  • Motivation
  • Communication
  • Self esteem
• IT training
• CV Preparation
• Letter writing
• Job Search and Interviews
• Arts and Crafts
• Gardening
• Cookery
• Health Activist
• H&S Construction Course
• Tenancy Support

There are regular drop-in sessions for advice and help with training and job hunting. Clients can use our computers without charge to prepare CVs and to search for jobs and accommodation.

At the end of their initial learning period clients may either continue to build up further skills within the Springboard Learning Centre, move to a course at another educational establishment or seek paid employment. For further training clients are referred to the East Berkshire College and the Thames Valley University.

East Berkshire College
Thames Valley University