We're proud to share that a consortium of four specialist providers in Stoke-on-Trent has secured a £11.45m contract to expand a city-wide homelessness service. Together, providers will create a single, coordinated system to ensure more people can find safety and stability.
The consortium of providers - Concrete (our homelessness specialist here at Honeycomb Group), Adullam, North Staffs Mind, and new partner Brighter Futures, has been awarded £11.45m to enhance and expand Destination: Home, Stoke‑on‑Trent’s established homelessness, accommodation, recovery, prevention and outreach service.
After five successful years of supporting people across the city, Destination: Home is now expanding, enabling the service to support even more residents who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Commissioned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the expanded pathway provides a coordinated, multi‑agency response for adults aged 18 and over, including singles, couples, vulnerable women, and Armed Forces veterans. Together with our partners, we'll deliver a comprehensive pathway of support designed to prevent homelessness, reduce harm and improve long‑term outcomes for service-users.
Building on the existing Destination: Home offer, the expanded service will now include: outreach work to reach people early, build trust and support those sleeping rough or disengaged from services; emergency accommodation offering immediate safety and stabilisation; and specialist, trauma‑informed accommodation‑based support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including mental health, substance misuse and trauma.
The partnership will also provide flexible floating prevention support to help people in the community maintain their home and avoid crisis, alongside dedicated move‑on support that helps individuals transition to more independent living, sustain tenancies and strengthen their skills, confidence and connection.
Honeycomb Group Chief Executive, Julie Guildford Smith said: “We are honoured to lead this ambitious new pathway and to be entrusted with delivering vital services that will help transform the lives of people in Stoke-on-Trent who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.”
“Honeycomb Group is delighted to be working alongside Brighter Futures, Adullam and North Staffs Mind. Each partner brings exceptional expertise and a deep-rooted commitment to preventing homelessness in our city. By collaborating with organisations who share our values and purpose, we can create stronger, more integrated services that deliver better outcomes for the people we support.”
“We also look forward to working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, our wider partners and local communities as we deliver this pathway together and create lasting, meaningful change.”
Brighter Futures Chief Executive, Maxine Bradbourn said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue championing partnership working across the city as we tackle homelessness together. For more than 20 years, Brighter Futures has delivered vital frontline support through our Rough Sleepers Team, alongside Orchid Women’s Services and the Hanley Connect homeless hub. This new investment means we can not only continue these essential services, but strengthen them with additional resources, greater capacity and enhanced specialist support. By working side by side with our partners across Stoke-on-Trent, we can strive to make sure more people get the housing, health and hope they deserve.”
Ged Riley, Executive Director of Housing and Support at Adullam said: “Adullam has been working in Stoke-on-Trent for six years now and through building strong partnerships we have helped make a positive difference to many people’s lives, including those who live and work in the wider community. To be part of this consortium, with all members dedicated and determined to deliver great results, makes us very happy. We also welcome the opportunity to continue our work with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and assisting them in transforming people’s lives.”
Kate Boundy, North Staffs Mind Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be part of such an experienced and innovative consortium as we begin an exciting new chapter for the Destination:Home service. Access to safe, high-quality housing is a vital foundation for good mental health. We are committed to working in partnership to ensure people entering the service have the stability and support they need to thrive.”
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This funding will make a real difference for people in our city. Bringing our services into a single, coordinated system means more people can find safety, stability and a future they can build on. It also strengthens our wider ambition to create family friendly towns and a city where everyone feels supported and safe.
“The council already commissions and provides a wide range of specialist help for people who find themselves homeless, particularly those with complex needs. This support not only improves lives but also helps create more welcoming and reassuring public spaces for our communities across the city."
