New centre for homeless people
opens in Swindon

A state-of-the art facility for homeless people has opened in Swindon – a partnership between The Salvation Army, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Housing Corporation, Swindon Borough Council and Westlea Housing.  

Commissioner John Matear, the Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army in the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland, dedicated a commemorative plaque and met residents and their support staff along with representatives of the partnership and the developers.

Booth House has replaced the town’s former Salvation Army provision at Davis House Social Services Centre. The previous centre was assessed to be no longer fit for purpose and its Turl Street site was needed by the town for regeneration. The Salvation Army was therefore delighted to identify a location for its programme in Spring Close where a new building is now able to provide assistance to 50 homeless people.

Among the new features to be incorporated into the project are the 'back to work' and 'return to the labour market' activities.

Once service users are ready to move out into the community, a further aim of the project is to ensure that they receive appropriate re-settlement support.

The Salvation Army's Secretary for Programme, Major Ian Barr, said: "We are exploring various social enterprise possibilities to be run from Booth House in Swindon, to provide training opportunities for our service users.

"The Salvation Army is grateful for the investment being made by our partners, The Department for Communities and Local Government, The Housing Corporation and Swindon Borough Council.  In addition we are delighted to have formed a relationship with Westlea Housing Association which is acting as the developer in this joint venture. They will become the property managers, with The Salvation Army as service provider."
               
David Ashmore, Chief Executive of Westlea welcomed the partnership saying: "We were delighted to have the chance to get involved with this exciting and important partnership project in Swindon that’s helping people in real housing need. I'm pleased and proud that our project team have tackled the complexities of this scheme so effectively to ensure that Booth House was able to open this summer.
“Westlea is working on a wide range of housing schemes with various partners in Swindon and considers Booth House to be a flagship example of how much can be achieved by working together with others."

Councillor David Renard, Swindon Borough Council Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Social Care said: "The Salvation Army provides vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in Swindon and I am delighted that the Council is continuing to work so closely in partnership with them.

"This new facility at Booth House provides excellent 'fit-for-purpose' accommodation for Swindon's homeless people. I am delighted that the Salvation Army is working with one of our established housing partners, Westlea, who will both provide the support needed to help these people get their lives back on track."