Staying First
Staying First (formerly named Staying Put Services) is a vibrant, diverse part of SBHG. Formed in 1984, Kensington and Chelsea Staying Put for the Elderly offered elderly private tenants help and advice on housing issues. Despite being a wealthy area, many elderly people lived in very poor conditions.
In 2000 it joined Shepherds Bush Housing Group and in 2001 changed its name to Staying Put Services (SPS). Now known as Staying First, the charity continues to provide a better quality of life for people living across west London.
We help relieve poverty, sickness and distress; particularly among young people, children and the elderly. We help people at risk of homelessness and offer advice, support, facilities, and services to improve the lives of people in need.
Since 1984 we have grown to encompass a wide range of innovative services including:
Furnish
Furnish collects unwanted furniture for redistribution. Furnish also provides removals, clears houses, and offers storage.
Home Improvement Agency
This improves people's living conditions, leading to improved health and a better quality of life which help them remain in their own home.
Housing Advice Service
Staying First provides free and independent housing advice to private tenats who live in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. We also provide advice to tenants of the TMO who are referred by their Income Officer due to rent arrears.
Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice Service
Staying First has contracts with Catalyst Housing, Origin Housing, Network Stadium Housing Association, Women's Pioneer and SBHA to provide debt and / or welfare benefits advice services to tenants of those organisations.
Small Repairs
We carry out tasks ranging from changing tap washers to fitting minor aids and adaptations for people aged over 60 or who are vulnerable.
Volunteering
The Volunteering Project supports more than 55 SBHG volunteers.
Well-Being
The Well-Being service, based in Hammersmith and Fulham, tackles health inequalities. It provides health trainers, community nutrition and well-being training.
Staying First celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009.
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