New crisis support service launches in Northampton to help vulnerable residents
The Doddridge Centre has announced the official launch of By My Side, an innovative, intensive support service designed to throw a vital lifeline to local residents facing multi-layered personal crises.
The official launch comes after a highly successful pilot phase that saw an overwhelming, organic wave of demand from the St James community. Witnessing firsthand how many people were struggling to stay afloat, the charity has spent the last few months structuring the project to return in a permanent, expanded capacity.
"We are incredibly excited to officially launch this service and to have the capacity to reach even more community members who feel isolated or overwhelmed," said a spokesperson for the Doddridge Centre. "Our pilot proved that people in our neighborhood are facing complex challenges that basic advice lines just can’t solve. They need someone to stand with them, and that is exactly what we are here to do."
The By My Side project breaks away from traditional, time-limited support models by offering a uniquely personalised, relationship-based approach. When an individual is connected to the service, they are paired with a dedicated worker who stays with them through every single step of their journey, from the initial referral until their issues are completely resolved.
The service operates on a strict policy of "no time limits and no judgements," providing holistic care tailored to each individual's needs. This includes offering a compassionate listening ear, decoding complex official correspondence, assisting with debt and benefit management, filling out complicated welfare forms, and providing robust advocacy—even accompanying clients to stressful appointments.
A stark reality behind the project is that 91% of the service's target beneficiaries present with severe pre-existing disadvantages, often driven by undiagnosed or unsupported learning disabilities or acute digital exclusion. In an increasingly digital world, these barriers leave many completely unable to access essential statutory systems independently, putting them at immediate risk of severe debt, housing instability, or falling through the cracks of society.
By creating a secure digital hub and training an agile team, the Doddridge Centre is positioning itself as a vital pressure-valve for the wider town. The project works in close partnership with local housing providers, debt agencies, and mental health services to catch individuals before their situations escalate into emergency statutory crises.
As final preparations are made for the official launch at the end of June, the By My Side team is actively looking to connect with local organisations, health practitioners, and community teams to open up referral pathways.
Members of the public, professionals, and potential partners who want to learn more about the service, make a referral, or collaborate with the team are encouraged to contact the Doddridge Centre directly via email or visit the Centre in person.