Latest news with #TheWallich
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'I've spent 13 years waiting for a permanent home'
An army veteran who has spent 13 years on a waiting list for social housing has said the uncertainty has had a "big impact" on his mental health. Tom Weaver from Bridgend currently lives in temporary accommodation run by homelessness charity The Wallich but has struggled to find a permanent home due to the adaptations required for him as a wheelchair user. He is calling on the Welsh government to address what he called a "chronic lack of suitable accommodation" for individuals and families. A homelessness and social housing allocation bill is expected to be announced in the Senedd later on Monday, which the Welsh government said was a "vital step" towards ending homelessness in Wales. More cash needed for 20,000 homes plan - watchdog Number of homeless people in Wales at record high Wales drops green target for social housing Mr Weaver had a brain haemorrhage in 2012 which left him paralysed on his left side and partially blind. He now uses an electric wheelchair. At the time the local authority semi-adapted his house for him but he has since had to move several times to different homes. Once going onto the waiting list, Mr Weaver said he realised a lot of the houses offered were unsuitable. "I've gone into properties where I can't turn into the bathroom or into the bedroom, in one property I couldn't get in the kitchen with an electric wheelchair. It was so badly designed but on paper it was wheelchair friendly," he said. Mr Weaver loves his current home, allocated to him by Bridgend Council and managed by the Wallich. During the two and a half years he has been there he said he has made friends, however it is hard to deal with the uncertainty. The local authority have been "very understanding" of his needs with his current housing worked "perfectly", he said, but he is worried about the future. "I think after 13 years it'd be like winning the lottery to get a permanent home where I can put roots down," he said. Tom is calling on the Welsh government to do more to tackle what he described as a "chronic lack of suitable accommodation, across the board not just for me but for families". He wants the Welsh government to block planning permission unless developers include some houses for able-bodied homeless people and accessible bungalows or ground floor flats. Freedom of Information data previously found 139,000 people in Wales were waiting for a social home at the end of 2023. That however is likely to be an underestimate. Data shows there were an estimated 125 individuals sleeping rough throughout Wales on 28 February 2025. StatsWales data also shows in February 2025 there were 11,057 homeless people in temporarily accommodation. It comes as the Welsh government is expected to introduce legislation on Monday it said will transform the way Wales responds to homelessness. The Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill will focus on a few key elements: Transforming the homelessness system in Wales so that it focuses on earlier identification and prevention Targeting action at those most at risk. In particular, providing the opportunity to end homelessness among young people leaving care. Focusing on a multi-agency response to homelessness, bringing Welsh public services together to respond to the different causes and consequences of homelessness 'I was homeless while revising for my GCSEs' No working toilets and zombie knives in 'vile' housing for kids
Western Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
New Pembrokeshire service launched to help with hoarding
The Wallich, a homelessness charity, has introduced the therapeutic service, 'Making Space', to assist individuals in Pembrokeshire who struggle with hoarding. The initiative, commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to provide support without judgement. The service offers therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed approaches, to help individuals understand their hoarding behaviour and prevent relapse. A community support group has also been established to provide ongoing emotional and practical peer support. Hoarding, a condition often linked with depression, trauma, or anxiety, affects people across all ages and income groups. It is characterised by the collection and storage of a large number of items, which can interfere with everyday tasks. Phill Stapley, strategic operational lead for The Wallich, said: "Hoarding is a complex and often misunderstood condition. "It's not about messiness or being lazy, and there are emotional and physical impacts for those affected and their families. "People can often become isolated, unwell, unsafe and, in some cases, that can lead to the potential loss of their home. "We won't come into someone's home and begin clearing – we work with them, at their own pace, to help organise their home." Councillor Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing, said: "This fantastic service will help those that need help to ensure their homes remain safe and liveable, with those offering support really understanding the impact hoarding can have on people's well-being." Since 2022, the council has received concerns of hoarding or sanitary issues relating to 729 households in Pembrokeshire. The Making Space initiative adds to a series of new services launched by The Wallich, including a rough sleeping team and a conflict resolution service to prevent eviction. To access the service, people are referred to the Pembrokeshire Council Housing Support Gateway.
