In the heart of Liverpool, we’re tackling homelessness and addiction, two crises that are often tragically intertwined, starting from our base on Cotton Street. For many, the trauma of losing a home can lead to harmful coping mechanisms, while an unchecked addiction can rapidly unravel a stable life. At The Cotton Street Project, we understand this complex link and provide a dedicated, compassionate response for the people of Merseyside.
Beyond Shelter: Holistic Support for Liverpool’s Homeless
We provide more than a bed, offering a safe space and stability as a foundation for recovery. Our work addresses the root causes, from mental health to addiction, often seen in cities like Liverpool. True change begins when basic human needs for safety and dignity are met, allowing individuals to focus on rebuilding their lives.
A Safe Harbour in Liverpool
Our doors on Cotton Street are open to those with nowhere else to turn. We offer immediate respite from the streets of Liverpool—a warm bed, nutritious meals, and a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. This initial safety is the critical first step from which all other progress can grow.
Addressing the Root Causes
Homelessness is rarely just about housing. Our support workers engage with each resident to understand their unique story, identifying and working on underlying issues such as:
- Mental health challenges
- Substance and behavioural addictions
- Debt and financial crisis
- Broken family relationships or support networks
Facing Gambling Addiction: Our Liverpool Recovery Support
Our team provides direct, confidential support for gambling addiction, helping individuals understand triggers and navigate recovery. We offer guidance on tools like the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme, GamStop, and local services like GamCare. Recognising the devastating impact gambling harm can have on finances, mental health, and housing security, we treat it with the same seriousness as any other addiction.
Understanding the Addiction Cycle
Recovery starts with awareness. We help individuals and their loved ones understand the powerful cycle of gambling addiction—the triggers, the chase, the temporary escape, and the profound losses that follow. Breaking this cycle requires compassion, specialist insight, and practical strategies.
Personalised Recovery Pathways
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our trained advisors work one-to-one to create a personalised recovery plan. This can include counselling, peer support groups, financial advice, and direct referrals to specialist services across Merseyside and the wider UK.
A Practical Guide to GamStop & Responsible Gambling in the UK
We offer clear, practical guidance on using GamStop to block online gambling accounts and explain its limits. We also promote responsible gambling resources and UK-regulated tools like deposit limits and reality checks. Empowering individuals with knowledge about these tools is a key part of regaining control.
How GamStop Works
GamStop is a free UK-wide self-exclusion scheme. Once you register, it requests all licensed online gambling operators in the UK to block your accounts for a chosen period (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years). It’s a vital tool for creating a barrier, but it’s important to know it doesn’t cover non-UK licensed sites or physical betting shops, which require separate self-exclusion.
Essential Responsible Gambling Tools
Alongside self-exclusion, UK-licensed sites offer built-in tools to help manage gambling. We encourage understanding and using these:
- Deposit Limits: Set a strict maximum you can deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Time-Outs: Take a short break from gambling for 24 hours up to 6 weeks.
- Reality Checks: Regular pop-up alerts to remind you how long you’ve been playing.
- Transaction History: Keep track of your spending to maintain a clear perspective.
Our Liverpool Community: Partners in Recovery
No one does this alone. We collaborate with Liverpool-based services, including the NHS, local authority support teams, and other charities, to provide a wrapped-around support network for those we serve. By working together, we ensure individuals can access the right help at the right time.
Local Partnerships in Merseyside
Our strong ties across the city mean we can facilitate swift referrals. We work closely with local NHS mental health and addiction teams, Liverpool City Council housing and support services, and specialist organisations like GamCare, which provides the National Gambling Helpline and local support networks here in Merseyside.
Building a Support Network
Recovery is sustained by connection. We help individuals rebuild trust and forge positive relationships, whether through our in-house community activities, peer mentoring, or linking with external support groups. Building this network is fundamental to long-term resilience and preventing relapse.
Recovery, whether from homelessness or gambling harm, is a journey best walked together. It requires courage, specialist support, and a community that believes in second chances. If you or someone you know in Liverpool is struggling, our team is here to listen, without judgement, and help you take those vital first steps. Contact The Cotton Street Project today to find your way forward.