CHESS stands for "Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme" - which is a significant statement of who we are and what we are about. Individuals are referred onto our services providing accommodation, meals, laundry & hygiene facilities - so meeting their immediate needs. They are then assigned a Support Worker who will meet with them regularly and can help get them access to services from outside agencies if required. Other services available to them through the CHESS programme of change are counselling services including mental health and substance abuse and various training courses to help with employment. Our aim is to help them get to a place where they can move on into their own accommodation and live independently again. We currently have space for 66 individuals in our 13 properties - 12 in Chelmsford and one in Epping. We also have an Outreach Team that works with rough sleepers in 8 districts: Chelmsford, Epping, Rochford, Braintree, Maldon, Uttlesford, Castle Point and Brentwood. Referrals come into us through www.streetlink.org.uk and we visit the individual to ascertain their immediate needs, providing emergency supplies like a sleeping bag, tent, snacks, warm clothes etc. If appropriate we can offer them an emergency room, access to a shower and food etc, but these services are limited at the moment.
