On Wednesday 2nd October, invited guests gathered in the new gender sensitive wing of our Clarkson House hostel to mark the opening of 'Sunrise Haven'.

Sunrise Haven is a bespoke accommodation option primarily for residents with more complex needs relating to gender. Due to the unique nature of this accommodation, we can receive referrals from across the country to ensure access and support to anyone who needs it. The space we have created is trauma-informed as well as psychologically-informed, in that great care has been taken to create a safe and welcoming space that will help an individual to recover and heal from past trauma and homelessness.

Sunrise Haven currently consists of three private ensuite bedrooms and residents have access to laundry facilities; a communal kitchen; a communal lounge area; a communal garden area; a training space; food donated by local businesses and many client-led support services such as: regular one-to-one check ins; physical health check ups with a visiting nurse practitioner; access to a mental health nurse and counselling sessions; assistance with receovery from drug and alcohol abuse; education opportunities and employment support.

Upon arrival at Sunrise Haven, residents receive a bespoke personal assessment and are assigned a key worker who supports them throughout their whole time at the Ferry Project. Once ready, the resident usually is able to move on to our resettlement accommodation which bridges the gap between hostel living and independence.

Since accepting our first residents in Sunrise Haven three weeks ago, we have already had one successful move on.