Catching Lives

Who we are

Catching Lives supports people who are homeless or insecurely housed in Canterbury and East Kent. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. Our day centre is a minute’s walk from Canterbury East station. We open every day of the week to provide basic facilities (food, showers, laundry) alongside one-to-one support to help people improve housing, health and social connection. We also run a programme of arts and activities, and host specialist services from partner agencies.

Our culture and values

Catching Lives works in a non-judgmental and trauma-informed way with people experiencing homelessness, mental ill health, addiction and other challenges. We provide personalised support to help people make positive changes and navigate systems such as housing and health, and advocate for their rights and entitlements with other agencies. 

We support new team members through induction with experienced colleagues, as well as core training during their probationary period (there are also ongoing training and development opportunities). Staff attend weekly team meetings and have regular 1-1s with their line manager, and there’s confidential access to an Employee Assistance Scheme.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforceso that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are fully committed to:

• Treating all of our employees and job applicants equally in all aspects of employment including: recruitment and selection, promotion, transfer, opportunities for training, pay and benefits, other terms of employment, discipline, selection for redundancy and dismissal.
• Creating a working environment that is free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.
• Training managers and all other employees about their rights and responsibilities under this equal opportunities, diversity & inclusion policy.
• Employing, training and promoting employees on the basis of their experience, abilities and qualifications, without regard to race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, age, marriage and civil partnership or disability.
• Making opportunities for training, development and progress available to all employees, who will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential.