North Northamptonshire Council Never Give Up team named finalists in Housing Heroes Awards 2025

12 June 2025

North Northamptonshire Council’s Never Give Up Team has made it to the finals of Housing Heroes Awards 2025 - the UK’s leading awards that recognise the outstanding efforts of individuals and teams who improve the health and wellbeing of tenants and residents.

The Never Give Up team has been shortlisted in the Team of the Year (1,000 to 15,000 homes) category for its exceptional efforts in addressing rough sleeping in the region.

The Never Give Up Project was established in May 2023 to support people who have been rough sleeping for an extended period and are experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness, including mental health issues, substance misuse, grief, debt, and previous incarceration. The project aims to help individuals gradually sustain an independent tenancy.

The project offers accommodation comprising 16 self-contained, newly refurbished flats throughout North Northamptonshire, and a team that provide tailored individual support. Tasks range from help with setting up utility bills, assisting with recovery, and liaising with partner agencies like Mental Health Services.

The Never Give Up team goes beyond basic support, providing creative solutions to help individuals stay on track, such as art therapy to help with grief, accompanying residents to the supermarket, and setting up piano lessons. They also help individuals understand finances, set up savings accounts, and create personalised incentives for achieving goals they have set together.

Since May 2023, the Never Give Up Team has supported 26 people to date, helping to reduce the number of people sleeping rough long-term in North Northamptonshire from 13 in April 2024 to just 6 by December 2024. Their work has led to many inspiring success stories, including individuals moving into permanent housing and sustaining their tenancies, overcoming lifelong alcohol dependence, and securing employment.

Too many people still face the harsh reality of rough sleeping and homelessness - everyone deserves a safe place to call home and the chance to rebuild their lives.

The Never Give Up Team exemplifies the dedication and innovative spirit needed to tackle homelessness in North Northamptonshire, consistently going above and beyond in their professional roles to find creative solutions for each challenge.

Winning this award would be a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they have made on the lives of our residents.

I am incredibly proud of the team’s achievements and this well-deserved recognition.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council (and Executive for Housing).

The winners of the Housing Heroes Awards 2025 will be announced at a ceremony on Monday 23 June in Manchester.