We have 27 en-suite bedrooms, including one disabled accessible room, with each room giving space and privacy when it’s needed. We have a professional-grade kitchen where residents can cook their own meals, take part in preparing meals, and attend cooking sessions. We have enthusiastic teams of volunteers who provide evening meals.
We have an IT suite available seven days a week for current and former residents. The dining area and TV lounge are the focal point of daily life at Branches Hostel. Our leisure facilities include a gym and a garden area. Our library has a huge range of literature.
We are accepting self referrals, and referrals from organisations or agencies in Waltham Forest and neighbouring boroughs.
Support is provided through a Personalised Support Plan for every individual.
We establish the level of need during the initial interview. Because we accept high- medium- and low-support needs’ clients, once we accept a person on the waiting list (if we do not have a room void) we determine where best to place the individual during the initial interview.
The maximum stay at Branches is 18 months. The ideal outcome at the end of a stay is a level of independence to be supported to move into PRS. If not achieved, then a move to an accommodation with floating support. Every person is different and for some a move on is relatively quick, but we are realistic and understand that not every person can achieve independent living within this 18-month time frame.
Everyone coming into our hostel is on a six-week probationary Licence (assessment period). During this time, an individual’s needs are assessed, and engagement is measured, with their assigned Support Worker. Once in Branches, clients are expected to engage with local drug and alcohol services or MH services, where these support needs are identified.
At the end of the six-week assessment period, if a person is engaging well with their Support Worker and making progress the Licence will be reviewed and continue.
Please see the HOUSING ADVICE tab for further information on our criteria and for completing our form.
(See page 14 on the Referral Form – Supporting Document Checklist – and tick all that apply.
Please note – we are only able to process referrals if the supporting information is sent with the referral form.
If you have any questions, please contact our team – referrals@wfcbranches.org.uk
Every individual staying at Branches Hostel will receive daily support through formal and informal sessions with their allocated Support Worker. We cannot change people’s lives. We can and do facilitate access to services, challenge, and encourage those who want to make life changes while at Branches hostel.
Our Support Team has an extensive range of experiences, and skills in mental health and substance misuse support, are trauma informed, and use a person-centred approach. The team provides advice on housing and welfare benefits, employment, and training opportunities, and provide advocacy for residents and former service users. Support Workers also liaise with other specialist agencies that offer specialist interventions and rehabilitation.
Some residents in Branches Hostel have mental health, drug or alcohol dependency support needs. We provide access to other mental health therapy services, stress management programmes, group and one-one substance dependency sessions. We are unique in having our own in-house CBT therapist providing one-one support, and weekly drop-in sessions. Our therapist also runs group therapy and creative sessions including our monthly Creative Café.
We have a range of health and well-being programmes in-house and through our partnerships with other agencies, as well as dental, eye care and chiropody services. We run healthy lifestyles sessions covering nutrition, meal planning, and food preparation. We run cooking classes ranging from beginners’ cooking level to advanced meal preparation. The sessions include planning for and purchasing ingredients on a limited budget. We have specialist health and fitness classes including hip hop dance classes, yoga, and meditation. We are always looking to add to these…!
Living on a limited income is a significant challenge. We have run Financial Wellbeing courses in collaboration with The Money Charity, and we support each resident to help them manage their finances through monthly budgeting. The programmes aim to equip residents with the financial skills they will need manage daily on a limited income. By following these courses, some residents are able to save, setting aside money for when they move on.
We have great partnerships with other charities, local businesses, colleges and local government sectors providing access to volunteering, training, education, or employment opportunities.
If you are an organisation that would like to get involved with the people who use our service, please get in touch!
Every person we support at Branches hostel has an agreed personal development plan setting out what an individual wants to achieve during their stay at Branches hostel. This may include re-uniting with family, reducing or stopping substance use, taking up formal education, training or re-skilling, or getting a job.
We are developing a mentoring programme to be run by former service users, for current residents and service users. Watch this space!