Transforming Lives and Strengthening the Community in Cheltenham

Joined by P3 team members Rebecca Craig and Taylor Dancey in the front room of Cheltenham’s Safe Spaces emergency accommodation service, there’s an immediate sense of warmth and welcome: a reflection of the supportive environment that P3 Charity works tirelessly to create across all its services. Rebecca, the service manager, gives us a broad overview of the Safe Spaces project and the vital role it plays in the community: 

“Safe Spaces is a 13-bed property that is a ‘direct access service’ to anybody that has been found rough sleeping in [Gloucestershire]. What that means is that the local outreach team will verify somebody [is rough sleeping] and send them to us for a referral, where we will accommodate them for a short space of time while we assess them and their needs.” 

This service offers more than just a roof over someone’s head. It provides stability, dignity and the first step toward rebuilding a life. Taylor, P3’s support worker at Cheltenham Safe Spaces, explains that those first few days are key in establishing trust and identifying the right support pathways for each person. 

“The first 72 hours are crucial. Often, the team speak directly with the council to get a wider picture and build a more detailed support plan. One of the biggest challenges we have at this stage is getting that engagement [from the person being supported], but we make sure we give a continued effort to provide a space for people to engage if they can.” 

Following P3’s national model of support, the support provided at Safe Spaces is both psychologically and trauma-informed, ensuring that every individual is met with understanding and compassion. No two people’s experiences are the same, so each support plan is tailored to reflect their unique circumstances. 

Rebecca explains: “It really comes down to listening and understanding each individual. For example, we have a chap at the moment who finds it difficult to live in communal spaces, so we made sure he was placed in our annex so he is not triggered by other people in the property. We also have transgender individuals who need a more personalised space and separate washing facilities and separate one-to-one safe spaces for people to talk. We’re very mindful of people’s experiences, and we get a wide range of needs here.” 

She adds, “You can always expect a warm welcome. We have our doors open to everybody. Our space is communal, so we try to get everybody involved through different types of activities. It’s somewhere that is warm and where people can feel safe.” 

Taylor emphasises that the service always puts people first: “We work with individual needs. It’s all about making a comfortable space for someone and looking at their long-term goals. It’s not just about putting people in housing: It’s about making sure each person has the correct housing options for them and their circumstances. We’re not about filling spaces; we’re about meeting people’s needs.” 

This person-centred approach means that every individual is seen, heard, and valued. The service operates largely on the feedback of residents — a vital part of shaping support that truly works for the people it serves. 

“Regardless of what it is, we need honest feedback to help us shape the service. This leads to positive outcomes, and even in this short space of time, we see so many people blossom after years in and out of homelessness services.” 

Through services like Safe Spaces, P3 Charity continues to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals and the wider community. By offering care that goes beyond crisis response, the team helps people rediscover stability, confidence, and hope, proving that with the right support, everyone deserves and can achieve a place to call home. 

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