For the first time ever, hundreds of rough sleepers across Leeds are being offered bespoke mental health support from a team of trained professionals, who are trying to reignite their passion for the things they truly love.
Marlisse Elliott and Matt Hanson, who both have a backgrounds as occupational therapists, have started working on the specialist therapeutic outreach team for Forward Leeds, the city’s alcohol and drug service.
They have been tasked with providing specialist support for some of the city's most vulnerable people, many of whom have spent years on the streets.
While there are already a number of outreach teams across the city who provide valuable support, trauma informed mental health practitioners Marlisse and Matt have expertise in a field which affects so many.
'Some people feel as though they have lost control'
"There is no normal day in our job," said Marlisse.
"During Covid especially, it's important that people are able to tell their own stories because a lot of them feel as though they have lost control.
"We just want to offer an ear to listen to their concerns."
Dozens of homeless people were put up in hotels by Leeds City Council at the start of the pandemic, but many have started returning to the streets since.
A report released last week revealed that there were 446 people recorded as sleeping rough in Leeds last year. Another 541 were known to have been begging on the streets at least once.
Marlisse told LeedsLive that in the majority of instances, people start living on the streets after a traumatic incident, and building trust with rough sleepers is crucial if they are to start on the road to recovery.
Everyday situations can be very distressing, leading them to behave in ways that could appear aggressive or overly defensive.
"Many rough sleepers have had a lot of trauma in their lives, so trust can be really difficult for them," she said.
"Then there's compound trauma, which is a series of traumatic experiences on top of one another.
"That is often a big factor in people ending up homeless.
"Mental health is a really significant issue for a lot of people on the streets.
"What we are trying to do is recognise that most people have had traumatic experiences in the past. Being homeless in itself is traumatic, so often their mental wellbeing is not good.
"If their basic needs are not being met, how can their psychological needs be met?"
While some mental health support has been available in the past, it has been in a rigid and structured format and missing a single session can result in the help being suspended indefinietly.
With that in mind, Marlisse and Matt walk around the city centre every single morning to speak to people, before hosting relaxed and informal drop-in sessions at the hotels where rough sleepers are living. Sessions are also being held at homeless shelter St George's Crypt.
"We recognise the need for consistency, but without the pressure of making each and every appointment," said Marlisse.
"Some rough sleepers have issues simply telling the time, or even going into certain settings could trigger traumatic memories.
"No one has to make an appointment and it's just a safe space for them to speak to us about anything.
"During each session, we talk about their passions. One person, for instance, talked about wanting to get back into art and we are now looking at how we can make that happen."
Operational manager at Forward Leeds, Anne Hobbs, said: “Our workers are there for the most vulnerable people in our city - those who have both mental and physical health problems as well as alcohol and drug misuse problems.
"Many of those living on the streets in Leeds have suffered multiple traumas in the past.
"People may be familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but trauma can also lead to depression, self-harm, alcohol and drug misuse, psychosis, relationship difficulties, dissociation, suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of poor physical health."
For more information or to access support, contact Forward Leeds on 0113 887 2477 or email info@forwardleeds.co.uk.
