Street drinker programme will help Luton

NOAH Enterprise will continue its street drinking outreach programme in Luton after the project was commissioned by Luton Borough Council

The programme involves two outreach workers whose role is to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people off the streets and tackle anti-social behaviour, street drinking and begging.

In September last year, Luton BID awarded NOAH Enterprise £20,000 to support the project, the funding helped the programme move 53 street drinkers out of the town centre, helped find accommodation for 12 homeless people and referred 17 people to an alcohol treatment programme.

Jim O’Connor, chief executive of NOAH Enterprise, said:

“The funding by Luton BID in support of our Street Drinker Outreach Programme enabled us to continue work to the end of last year and deliver significant results in reducing anti-social behaviour, street drinking and begging in Luton town centre, while seeking solutions for the people involved. This has led to the formal commissioning of the programme by Luton Borough Council as part of their Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service.”

A spokesperson for the Luton Council said:

“Luton Council has commissioned the social care and health charity Change, Grow, Live (CGL) to deliver the ResoLUTiONs drug and alcohol recovery service in Luton from 1 April, working with a number of partners to support local people to change their lives for the better and achieve positive and life-affirming goals.”

Councillor Aslam Khan, portfolio holder for commissioning and public health, said:

“We are committed to providing the best possible services and support for local people dealing with drug and alcohol misuse. “The street drinkers outreach scheme is an important part of the programme and it’s great news it has been supported by local businesses in the Luton BID.”