An Occupational Therapy Intervention Service to Hostels for Homeless People: An Overview

Abstract

This evaluation of an Occupational Therapy Intervention Service within homeless persons' hostels in Bristol, England, highlights the efficacy of occupational therapy with this service user group and reflects on the practicalities of delivering such a service in an inter-agency context.

Occupational therapy engaged homeless individuals with complex needs who were often defended against change in their own lives. Over 7 months an Occupational Therapy Intervention Service provided an individual service for 16 residents and made a further 542 contacts through group work. The creation of psychosocial microenvironments within hostels allowed individuals to experience themselves differently and contemplate the possibility of change. The importance of collaborative working between occupational therapists and hostel staff is examined in the light of the psychologically informed environments agenda.