Suffering with a mental illness or impairment and threatened with homelessness

The Council's housing advice team seeks to ensure that the early identification of housing problems takes place to hopefully prevent you from becoming homeless.

This will be achieved through partnership work and multi-agency working to prevent you from becoming homeless, through the necessary support you may require.

On the basis that you are suffering from a mental illness or impairment the council will consider whether you may be vulnerable and therefore in 'priority need'.

We will provide information about available support services and low level supported accommodation options through the Personal Housing Plan that will be completed with you.

If you need housing advice assistance and support with your housing needs, please contact the housing advice team.

If you have specialist health needs that require specific accommodation, you will need to contact your health professional to see what options are available to you. You should ask your health professional whether you are entitled to Section 117 aftercare which may include housing or support and care to help you sustain accommodation. More information on Section 117 Aftercare (rethink.org).

Useful contacts

The Access Team, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust is the single point of contact and access for urgent NHS mental health helpline. Tel: 0808 196 3002

Rethink: support and supported accommodation (in Cheadle, Biddulph & Leek) Tel 0121 522 7007

Drop in Centres for people with mental health issues (include one to one community support, peer support groups, volunteering and education opportunities)

Pennybank House, Leek Tel: 01538 399950 / 387387

Holbrook House, Cheadle Tel: 01538 754246

The Lyme Trustoffer supported accommodation for people living with mental health problems (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

Tel: 01782 634510,  Email: thelymetrust@tiscali.co.uk

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service  provides support and treatment that improve emotional wellbeing Tel: 0300 303 0923

Staffordshire Mental Health HelplineThose feeling concerned, worried, stressed or low, offers a call service evenings and weekends to offer support when other services are closed.

Tel: 0808 800 2234 7pm - 2am weekdays and 2pm - 2am weekends.

Asist Advocacy provide independent advocacy services in Staffordshire. Tel: 01782 845584  Email: enquiries@asist.co.uk

STARS (Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Services)

Telephone and in person services for people who need help with drug or alcohol misuse. Email: humankind.starswest@nhs.net

MIND Free counselling, anger management, befriending and parent support. Tel: 01782 262 100 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

SamaritansTelephone support and online support Tel: 116 123 24/7

ECHO support and information for people who have experienced self-harm or eating disorders. Echo offers a range of alternative therapies, workshops and an art group every week in a welcoming social space. Tel: 07500 444116

Contact Us

The Housing Advice service can provide you with housing and homelessness advice and assistance. Online referral form.

Tel: 0345 605 3010

Email: private.housing@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk 

If you are homeless and the council offices are closed, then you can contact the homelessness out of hours service on 0808 1692 333. You should only use this service if you have nowhere to stay immediately.