Support to keep me in my home
What is Parashoot?
Parashoot is a free support service to help people at risk of losing their home, or people who have been homeless and need help settling into their new homes. You can get support from the team if you live in Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge or Epsom and Ewell – even if you’re not a Raven customer.
We can help anyone from single people to families. We can also refer you for the right support if you also have mental-health, alcohol or drug problems.
We know how important a stable home to help change lives for the better and we’re here to help you make that happen.
What we do
We provide support services. Most people need help with:
- Managing and keeping their current home
- Claiming benefits you’re entitled to
- Budgeting advice and referrals for specialist debt advice
- Dealing with complicated paperwork
- Accessing other support services
- Getting started in a new home if you’ve been homeless
How can we help?
To start with, your Parashoot Housing Support Worker will visit to get to know you. They can offer support and advice to help you keep your home and live independently, make sure you are receiving all the money you are entitled to and help you manage your paperwork and bills, as well as refer you for specialist debt advice.
They will contact you regularly and put an individual plan in place, with actions for you as well as for us. Parashoot normally offers support for up to six months, sometimes the help may last a little longer; depending on your circumstances.
We’re here to help you, and by working together as a team, we can get the best possible outcome for you.
How do I apply?
Most people are referred by another organisation, like a local council or charity. You can also self-refer for Parashoot support.
Applying through a referral organisation
- Fill in a Parashoot application form, which you can download here.
- Please fill in as much detail as possible. We need to know the outcome you are aiming for as well as the reasons for the referral
- Referrers should send the form to the individual’s local council.
Self-referral
- Download and fill in a Parashoot application form here.
- At the top of the form, write that you are self-referring
- Provide details of the support you need with your home and why you are applying
- Email the form to the council for your local area.
What happens next?
Your council reviews the forms, and then they may contact you or the person that referred you to check any details, your eligibility, and find out if you need to make a housing register application.
The council will then decide whether Parashoot or another kind of support service would be better for you. Once we get the form, we will call you to arrange an assessment.
Contact us
If you’re a Raven customer, you can contact Parashoot through the MyRaven customer portal (link below).
You can also email us – parashoot@ravenht.org.uk or call 0300 123 3399.
Points to note
- Parashoot support workers do not provide personal care.
- Parashoot support workers do not provide a home care/cleaning service.
- Parashoot support workers are not regulated to provide debt advice.
- Funding is provided through Surrey County Council.
Stories of support
- A referral came into Parashoot for Sonya* who needed help to organise her finances and set up an affordable budget. One of our housing support officers completed an income and expenditure form and assisted Sonya to call creditors and set up affordable repayments. Sonya says she feels much more in control and her finances continue to be better organised due to the help and support of Parashoot. The housing support officer also applied for warm home discounts and water support on her behalf, further improving her situation.
- Michelle* was referred to Parashoot because she had received a Section 21 (notice seeking possession). Our housing support officer assisted her to join the Housing Register and make an appointment to meet with the Local Housing team to get urgent assistance for her and her children. They were moved to local authority temporary accommodation, awaiting permanent accommodation.
*Names changed to respect the privacy of individuals
Feedback we are proud of
“If I had not been referred to Parashoot, then quite frankly, I’m not sure where my children and I would be. I will never be able to thank them enough.”
“Without reservation – thank you for your unwavering support.” (this comment was accompanied by a personal thank you card to the support worker)
“I was sad when my Parashoot support came to an end.”
“The service is fantastic, I got all the support I needed. Brilliant. Couldn’t be more grateful!”