Justlife’s Social Connection Project supports individuals transitioning out of homelessness by helping them connect with local communities and improve their overall well-being. The primary aim of the project is to help members build confidence, overcome social isolation and loneliness and build resilience, preventing a return to homelessness. The Social Connection Project offers the following services:
Our befriending project offers an opportunity for someone transitioning out of homelessness to be paired with a trained befriending volunteer. They meet regularly within the community and engage in an activity of their choice, such as going for a walk, trying a new activity, or simply enjoying coffee and conversation. We match individuals based on shared interests, hobbies, lived experiences, or identities, with the ultimate goal of fostering meaningful and healthy relationships.
The weekly peer support group at the Justlife Hub offers a space for members to share their feelings and experiences, exchange wellness strategies and tips to build resilience. They can support one another in a psychologically safe environment established through a group agreement. After the session, there is a social where people can relax informally, play games, do arts and crafts, and chat. Staff and lived-experience volunteers are available for one-to-one support, including signposting and referrals to community activities, groups, or support services.
A welcoming space for women to come together in an informal group with a different wellbeing-themed or creative activity each month.
An affirmative and safe space facilitated by and for LGBTQ+ people to come together in an informal group with different wellbeing-themed or community activities each month.
We provide a range of creative and well-being focussed activities throughout the year, highlighted in our quarterly Living Well Programme. The SCP team consults with members through the Social Connection Project and at our annual Impact Day to identify which activities they would like us to offer. These activities are designed to enhance well-being, foster resilience, and connect members with their interests and local community groups.
The SCP team holds regular one-on-one meetings to remove access barriers, support the development of person-centred wellness strategies, and help members connect with community activities, groups, and support services. Transitional support is also provided to assist members as they approach the end of their journey in the project, enabling them to exit safely, typically 18 months after securing permanent accommodation.
Some members transition to become lived experience volunteers, receiving bespoke support and training alongside the formal new volunteer training programme. There are also opportunities for members to get involved in our co-production Common Ambition and Campaigns and Social Change lived experience projects.
The Bright Ideas Partnership has recently evaluated the Social Connection Project and has concluded. This evaluation found clear evidence that the project has enabled members to feel more socially connected, improved their confidence and resilience, improved their physical/mental health, and reduced the risk of members returning to homelessness (e.g., by better managing their tenancies). Members also rated the support provided by volunteer befrienders positively. Volunteer befrienders also valued the training/support provided by the project and highlighted that they had experienced some limited positive outcomes.
Justlife Social Connection Project evaluation August 2025 FINAL
"It has made me feel like I’m part of a group and that I’m not alone in how I feel a lot of the time. I get caught up in my thoughts, believing I’m the only person who’s ever felt like this. Going through homelessness, especially as a young woman with mental health issues, has been really tough. But I feel like we have a small community - whether we’re talking about serious topics or just what we’ve seen on TV - it’s made me feel validated and less lonely"
Social Connection client
"Having people around me in similar situations has helped me realise I’m not truly alone and that there are healthy ways to cope"
Social Connection client
