Why we are needed.

The reality

A coastal city with colorful buildings, a sandy beach, and a pier extending into the ocean, with hills in the background and partly cloudy skies.

North Devon is known for its dramatic coastline, golden beaches, and unspoiled natural beauty - rightly earning its place as a popular holiday destination. But for the people who live here all year round, the picture can be very different. With limited infrastructure and poor transport links, North Devon is one of the most economically disadvantaged and least accessible areas in the county, served by the most remote acute hospital in mainland UK. While Barnstaple is the regional hub, it also includes two of the three most deprived wards in Devon, in the top 10% nationally for deprivation—and they flank The Freedom Centre. The local economy relies heavily on seasonal tourism, leading to widespread low-paid, insecure employment. It also has the lowest full-time wages in Devon, while facing some of the highest house prices in England, and a chronic shortage of affordable or social housing.

The Impact

A homeless person sleeping on a city sidewalk surrounded by bags, clothing, and trash.

Homelessness is not just a housing issue. It devastates physical and mental health, strips people of their dignity, and too often ends in premature death. Put simply, homelessness kills.

  • The average age of death for someone who is homeless is just 45 for men, and 43 for women.

  • 8 in 10 homeless people suffer from a mental health problem.

  • 6 in 10 struggle with drug or alcohol dependency.

  • People living on the street are nearly 17 times more likely to be victims of violence, and more than 9 times more likely to die by suicide (Source: crisis.org).

Our Response

A two-story building with a brick lower level and a corrugated metal upper level. Signs on the building read ‘Freedom Centre’ with a butterfly logo. The building has several windows and a sidewalk in front with a grassy area.

Here at the Freedom Centre we provide holistic person-centred support through open access services and outreach. Drop-in sessions run Monday to Thursday where every visitor is welcomed with a hot drink and a hot meal. After a shower and clean clothes, a friendly chat with one of the team identifies other ways we can help including accommodation, debt or benefits advice; time with the nurse or GP; support from mental health or addiction services. We have a gym on site, offer a c/o postal address, a bank of computers to reduce digital exclusion, and we provide laundry services for rough sleepers.

Exercise equipment in a gym with a colorful motivational wall in the background