edition of the Spotlight Newsletter ( 2058 KB)

spotlight
the homeless issue
Supporting People
Did you know?
Supporting People is a strategic
partnership that was set up in
2003 and the Housing Executive is
the administering authority for the
programme. Supporting People
changes lives for the better,
commissioning housing support
services aimed at improving
the quality of life of vulnerable
people so that they can live as
independently as possible in their
own communities. Supporting
People supports homeless people;
people with a learning disability;
people with mental health issues;
older people; women at risk of
domestic violence; people with
drug and alcohol addictions;
people with physical or sensory
disability; offenders or those at risk
of offending and other vulnerable
people. This magazine gives a
voice to those organisations
that Supporting People works
in partnership with and to those
individuals whose lives are
positively transformed by the
work that is being done.
Contents
2
3
4
5
In this edition
Strategy Update
Facts and Figures
Depaul Housing First
Simon Community Probation
Board Extension
6 Homeless Week round up
7 Homeless Week - Simon App
8 Homeless Week - Speak Up
9 Homeless World Cup
12 MACS Newry
13 Action for Children
14 Glen Alva House
15 Home Care Floating Support
16 First Housing Night Support
17 Women’s Aid
18 Queens Quarter Housing
19 Who’s who?
2
spotlight May 2015
spotlight
the homeless issue
Anne Sweeney, Supporting People, with Stephen Weldon, former Homeless
World Cup player who is now a volunteer coach, Housing Executive Acting
Chief Executive Mags Lightbody, Justin McMinn, Street Soccer NI and his wife
Victoria at the CIH awards.
Welcome to the latest edition of
Spotlight, the magazine of the
Supporting People programme,
which focuses on the subject
of homelessness. In this issue
we look at the vital role that
Supporting People has to
play in eliminating long term
homelessness by 2020.
I joined Supporting People last
November after working in
management roles in the voluntary
sector. My new role within the Housing
Executive involves collaboration with
our many partner organisations, most
of whom I have visited, within the
voluntary and community sector. I will
bring my previous experience of the
sector to my new position as Assistant
Director for Supporting People and
Homelessness.
This is an exciting time for the
organisation as our Acting Chief
Executive, Mags Lightbody, leads
us in the process of transformation
we call our Journey to Excellence; a
process which challenges us to be
positive and creative and to ‘think
yes’ when responding to the needs
of our customers.
The Housing Executive’s aim to
eliminate long-term homelessness
means that we fully recognise the
importance of working together
with our partners who bring their
skills, dedication and experience to
this huge challenge. This magazine
highlights the vital work that some
our partner groups do in supporting
the most vulnerable people in our
communities.
Our front cover features the team
of young homeless men who
represented NI at the Homeless
World Cup in Chile. We are proud
to have sponsored them. We also
successfully nominated them for a
Chartered Institute of Housing Award
which they won. Street Soccer NI is
truly inspirational and we wish the
team every success at the next World
Cup in Amsterdam later in the year.
Looking to the future, our Journey
to Excellence means that we will
focus on putting our customers at
the heart of what we do. We are
redesigning our front line services,
introducing a new Housing Solutions
approach which meets the needs of
our customers, wrapping support
around them when they need it.
The Supporting People team is
committed to delivering on our
promises. In doing so, we are very
grateful for and continually inspired
by the tireless work of our partners
in working with us to achieve our
mutual goals of supporting the
vulnerable and ending homelessness.
Anne Sweeney
Assistant Director for Supporting
People and Homelessness
Supporting People
12,000 VULNERABLE PEOPLE SUPPORTED
£30m
Supporting People
Homeless Budget
2015-16
12k
HOMELESSNESS ACCOUNTS FOR 40% OF BUDGET
153 SCHEMES
50 HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS
£5M SPENT ON YOUNG PEOPLE
Improving
Homeless
Services
for the future
The central vision of the Northern Ireland Homeless
Strategy (2012 - 2017) is to eliminate long term
homelessness and rough sleeping across Northern
Ireland by 2020.
Following a review of the Strategy in 2014 by the
Housing Executive, the Director for Regional Services,
Siobhan McCauley led the Re-prioritisation of the
Strategy liaising with the Department for Social
Development and the sector, committing full time
resources to support and maximise the impact of the
strategy. The result was a Re-prioritised Strategy with a
strong focus on homelessness prevention.
At the centre of our new Strategy is the introduction of a
Housing Solutions approach which provides a customer
focused service designed through our ongoing Journey
to Excellence: putting the customer at the heart of
everything we do. This Housing Solutions approach is
now being tested within both urban and rural Housing
Executive offices. The benefit of this new approach is
that it allows us to examine an individual’s options and
choices in the widest sense when they look for housing
advice. It features early preventative intervention
that explores all possible housing options including
social renting, owner occupation, private renting and
remaining in current
accommodation.
It was further
acknowledged that as part
of this reprioritisation of
the Strategy, the existing
Promoting Social Inclusion
Homeless Partnership
should be replaced by new
structures which would
maximise the impact of
the Strategy and identify
local accommodation and
Siobhan McCauley
support needs which will
Director of Regional
inform commissioning
Services
priorities. As a result, a
Central and three Regional interagency Forums were
established and are currently operational.
Domestic Violence
Alcohol/Drugs
Criminal Justice
Homeless Families
with Support Needs
Single Homeless
with Support Needs
Traveller
Generic
Young People
Teenage Parents
Leaving Care
At Risk
Total
Accom.
Floating
Total
based
Support
No. of existing schemes
13
9
22
12
5
17
3
2
5
28
6
34
36
6
42
2
2
1
2
3
4
3
2
11
112
1
9
41
4
2
20
153
spotlight May 2015
3
Supporting People
“It is simply
not enough to
house people
in emergency
accommodation
for long periods of
time; this will not
help us in the goal
of ending long term
homelessness.
What we are doing
with Housing First is
providing the wraparound services to
those who are in
accommodation,
supporting and
empowering them
to move forward in
their lives and make
positive changes.”
Kerry Anthony
CEO Depaul
For more information
Kristina Moody
Fundraising & Communications
Coordinator
Tel: 028 9064 7755
[email protected]
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spotlight May 2015
Launching the Housing First initiative were Kerry Anthony, Depaul, Nichola
Mallon, former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ricky Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of
Homeless Link and Mags Lightbody, Housing Executive Acting Chief Executive.
Depaul launches
Housing First
Programme
Depaul has launched a
Housing First Initiative,
supporting vulnerable
people in Belfast to move
out of homelessness
The basic premise of Housing First
promotes the idea of moving people
directly into houses and providing
a stable environment with ‘wraparound’ support to ensure that the
individual is able to sustain their new
home in the community.
Over the course of the 18-month
pilot, 36 people were supported into
independent accommodation and
resettled back into the community.
This was accomplished using a multiagency approach involving linkage
with the Housing Executive, Mental
Health Services, GPs, social workers
and the PSNI in North and East Belfast.
The Housing First approach has been
adopted internationally and the
results of interventions have shown
a strong indication that it is the most
effective and efficient approach to
addressing chronic homelessness.
CEO of Depaul, Kerry Anthony,
heralded the success of the pilot
programme by officially launching
the initiative at a ceremony in Belfast
City Hall. Throughout 2015, Depaul
will double its Housing First team
in Belfast has opened a service in
Londonderry/Derry. Depaul will
continue to develop impactful
partnerships and innovative
solutions in their mission to end
homelessness in Northern Ireland.
Supporting People
Sandra’s
Story …
Sandra is 50 years old and has
been alcohol dependent for
approximately 25 years. She has
had a number of tenancies but has
been in and out of homelessness
over the years due to tenancy
breakdown as a result of alcohol
misuse and chaotic behaviours.
The Housing First Team (HF) began
to support Sandra in May 2013.
The team has provided Sandra
with a number of ‘wrap-around’
supports to help her address
challenging behaviours and
maintain her tenancy. For instance,
following a serious assault from an
abusive partner, HF worked with
the PSNI to implement a crisis
intervention strategy. They also
facilitated visits by Home Care
floating support to Sandra’s home
for a total of 15 hours per week.
The HF team, in association with
the Home Care team and social
services, has operated a harm
reduction approach to Sandra’s
alcohol dependence. Since HF,
Sandra has reduced her alcohol
intake from a bottle of vodka a
day, at least, to a bottle of rose
wine or a bottle of cider. This has
made a very positive impact on
her life.
Sandra’s self-esteem has increased
and her social isolation decreased
through participation in a service
user involvement group, and
Sandra has made strides towards
reuniting with her family.
Sandra has now sustained her
tenancy for almost 2 years, when
previously she struggled to
maintain a tenancy for more than
a few months. She has made a
decision in the last few weeks
to stop drinking and is focusing
on saving money to visit her son
living abroad and redecorating
her home.
Depaul’s Housing First team
Simon Community
Probation Board Extension
In April 2012 Simon Community NI created a new
service delivery model with extended provision
known as Simon Community Waterside operating
across 2 sites, 13 Bonds Hill and 14-16 Melrose Terrace.
Bonds Hill (16 beds) is a Probation
Approved Residential Facility, with
4 beds for medium to high risk
adult offenders.
The aim is to work in partnership
with the Housing Executive,
Probation, PSNI and Social
Services, relevant agencies to
reduce the risk of re-offending
and assist in re-integration into
the community. The key to
success is for staff to undertake
assessments that provide a
range of structured interventions
ensuring the coordinated delivery
of rehabilitative services.
homeless and have complex needs
with the service being funded by
Supporting People.
The Melrose facility provides
transitional accommodation with
17 medium level housing selfcontained units for single homeless
clients.
One staff team works across both
sites, providing both continuity and
variety of working and they manage
drug and alcohol testing on behalf
of Probation Board Northern Ireland.
The remaining 12 beds in Bonds
Hill are for single people who are
For more information
Patrick McGettigan, Director of Homelessness Services
Simon Community NI
Tel: 028 9023 2882
[email protected]
spotlight May 2015
5
Supporting People
CHNI Conference
Homelessness
Awareness Week
Homelessness Awareness Week was held during the week of 22 November
2014 when over 20 events were held across Northern Ireland by homeless
organisations, people affected by homelessness and the wider community
with the support of the Council for the Homeless NI (CHNI).
The Supporting People team participated in and attended many of the
events including launches of supported living schemes, lectures, a play and
awareness events. Events that took place included a sofa push by the Civic
Awareness Forum in Derry/Londonderry and a culinary skills demonstration
providing a meal for homeless communities in East Belfast.
Liam Kinney (right) at the Lord
Mayor’s Christmas Lunch
For more information
www.chni.org.uk/haw.html
George Quinn
Information Officer
Tel: 028 9024 6440
[email protected]
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spotlight May 2015
During the week, representatives from Supporting People were delighted to
be key participants in the launches of the ‘Speak Up’ project and new Simon
app, which will improve services available to young people and those who find
themselves homeless. These projects are highlighted in the next few pages.
The CHNI annual conference took place in Cookstown under the theme
‘Creating Choice, Delivering Change.’ The Housing Executive’s Acting Chief
Executive, Mags Lightbody, delivered a keynote address, to a large audience
of homeless providers, stressing the importance of continued partnership
working to the delivery of homelessness services.
Supporting People were also delighted to support the Lord Mayor’s Christmas
lunch which was hosted by Belfast Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon. Single
homeless people from hostels across Belfast enjoyed a complimentary lunch
at Belfast City Hall. The guests were treated to a three course Christmas meal
with all the trimmings provided by local catering company Posh Nosh, with all
of those attending receiving Christmas gifts courtesy of the Housing Executive.
Supporting People
Anne Sweeney, Housing Executive Assistant Director of Supporting People and
Homelessness with the Chair of the Simon Community Alison Kilpatrick, Alex Maskey, Chair
of the Social Development Committee, Diarmuid Gavin, Simon Community NI ambassador
and (back) Jim Dennison, Simon Chief Executive, DSD Minister Mervyn Storey and Ignatius
O Doherty, Simon board member.
Unique App
first of its kind
It is the first time that
the general public will
be able to take action,
allowing easy access to
homelessness services in their locality, make a referral
to services or ‘report a risk’ if they are worried about
someone.
An app, the first of its kind in the UK, was launched
during Homelessness Awareness Week, and will
empower local people to help the most vulnerable in
our community, those who are homeless.
The app has five tabs showing the location of services
including Simon Community accommodation, Housing
Executive offices, hostels, floating support providers,
Housing and Gateway teams, Help (emergency
provision, food banks etc) and local transport.
The mobile app, known as ‘Support in my own
Neighbourhood’ is a unique collaboration between
the homelessness charity, Simon Community Northern
Ireland and the Supporting People programme and will
play a key role in preventing homelessness, the most
extreme form of which can be rough sleeping.
Anne Sweeney, Assistant Director of the Housing
Executive’s Supporting People and Homelessness, said:
“This app empowers all of us, individually and
collectively, to help those who, for whatever reason, are
without a roof over their heads.
To download the free app go to the App Store
and search for Simon Community.
spotlight May 2015
7
Supporting People
Launching the Speak Up project
were Brian O Kane, Anne
Sweeney, Supporting People and
Homelessness, Mags Lightbody,
Chief Executive, with Fionnuala
McAndrew, the Health and Social
Care Board’s Director of Social
Care and Children, Deirdre Coyle,
Health Board, and CHNI project
workers Lyndsey Mann and
Amanda Stewart.
Homeless youth given
chance to ‘speak up’
The ‘Speak Up’ project gives young
homeless people the chance to
have their say and shape future
housing policy and services, thanks
to a £70,000 funding boost from the
Supporting People programme.
The project is delivered by the Council
for the Homeless NI (CHNI) and
supported by the Health and Social
Care Board.
“I hope to bring about
change, not just for
myself but for other
young people coming
behind me.”
For more information
Amanda Stewart
Tel: 07825 429 178
Email: [email protected]
Lyndsey Mann
Tel: 07825 429 388
Email: [email protected]
Follow us social media:
Facebook: SpeakUp-CHNI
Twitter: @SPEAKup_CHNI
8
spotlight May 2015
The ‘Speak Up’ project is aimed at 1625 year olds who have experience of
homelessness or housing difficulties.
They will be given the opportunity to
make a difference and influence how
services are developed and delivered
to young people across Northern
Ireland.
CHNI has employed two dedicated
Youth Participation Coordinators
who will provide tailored training and
support so that young people can
be developed as Youth Champions,
given opportunities to contribute
their views and develop skills and
confidence.
Young people will engage at strategic
and policy level in the planning,
commissioning and delivery of
services through the Regional
Reference Group and wider strategic
policy and planning fora.
The ‘Speak Up’ project will ensure
that the priorities of the group
will be informed by the ideas and
experiences of young people.
When asked about their hopes and
expectations for their involvement,
one participant commented: “I want
to be heard and for the stereotypes
of young homeless people to be
challenged.”
The young people involved in the
project have already raised money
for the Children’s Hospice by making
crafts and baked goods for a fair.
The project has shown young people
that they can contribute a unique
perspective and have the capability
to inspire, energise and refresh the
debate in relation to preventing and
alleviating youth homelessness.
Anne Sweeney, Assistant Director
of Supporting People and
Homelessness, said:
“This project will enable us to be
better informed through contact with
young people and is important to
future proof how we deliver housing
and services to them.
“Their views will inform Supporting
People’s Homelessness action plan
in ensuring that it supports young
people through homelessness,
prevents young people from
becoming homeless and provides
housing support to allow them to live
independently in the community.”
Supporting People
Homeless World Cup
The Housing Executive
was delighted to support
those who took part in the
Homeless World Cup 2014 in
Chile. A team of eight players,
all affected by homelessness,
made the journey of a lifetime
following months of trials,
training and hard work
culminating in victory at only
their second competition.
to get involved, travel and achieve
success on a global scale.
Taking place in October the
Homeless World Cup brought 54
teams from around the world to play
350 games for 7 trophies, supported
by millions of fans. Formerly Belfast
Street League, Street Soccer NI gives
the most disadvantaged the chance
Football is used as a means to engage
with this vulnerable group and to help
individuals break out of homelessness
by designing education, training and
volunteering packages to address
issues relating to their marginalisation
and social exclusion.
This project delivered by East Belfast
Mission’s Hosford House breaks the
cycle of homelessness for individuals
who can fall outside statutory
engagement. Working with homeless
people and marginalised groups
in Northern Ireland, participants
excluded from education, training
and employment are difficult to reach
through mainstream statutory services.
Due to the success of the project
it was nominated for and won the
best housing story at the Chartered
Institute of Housing’s annual housing
awards 2015.
Aidan Byrne from Hosford House,
the Homeless Project of East Belfast
Mission, stated:
“Many people affected by
homelessness are young and this
trend is likely to continue in the
current economic climate of job
losses and benefit cuts.
“Belfast Street League provides
invaluable opportunities for people
to get active, build confidence, gain
qualifications, make friends and
have fun!’’
Chairman of the Housing Executive, Donald Hoodless, has a kickabout with the 2015 World Cup squad at Skainos.
The Housing Executive sponsored the kit for this year’s team heading off to Amsterdam.
spotlight May 2015
9
Supporting People
Street Soccer NI
Testimonials
‘‘I had been homeless for
around 9 years, moving in
and out of hostels. Since
starting Street League I have
got my own house and I’m
also doing essentials skills
training with Street League.
I have had an amazing
experience in Chile that has
changed how I see my life
forever.”
Barry
‘‘I had been coming to street
league for a couple of weeks
when I got my own house. I
was struggling to get things
sorted with the house. Justin
suggested that I get floating
support from Hosford to help
me and that’s really helped
me to get the house done up
and turn it into a home.”
John
“I was homeless for over
three years. Now I’ve got my
own home, I’m busy with
football, volunteering and
training, and I’ve lots of plans
and hopes for the future!”
Kenny
For more information visit
www.homelessworldcup.org/
groups/northern-ireland
For more information
Justin McMinn
East Belfast Mission
Tel: 028 9046 3482
[email protected]
10
spotlight May 2015
Brendan Kingsmore
Supporting People
Homeless World
Cup changing lives
B
rendan Kingsmore is a 26
year old highly articulate and
confident young man. He’s
also a talented footballer and has
been selected as the coach for the
2015 Homeless World Cup team,
preparing to compete in a global
soccer tournament in Amsterdam
later this year.
“Life is good, I’m in a great place
now”, says the young Lisburn fatherof-one, who has turned his life
around, thanks primarily to Street
Soccer NI and his participation in last
year’s Homeless World Cup. He was
also a finalist in the Break Thru Award,
nominated for a Pride of Northern
Ireland award and is a young
ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.
But it wasn’t always so.
Brendan experienced homelessness
for nine years. Tumultuous and
troubled teenage years and alcohol
and drug abuse meant he had to
leave his family home at the age of 16.
What followed was almost a decade
of sleeping rough, staying in hostels,
sofa surfing. During that time he
became a father to a little girl but the
instability of his circumstances meant
that he could not see her.
A defining moment for Brendan
occurred after he tried to take his
own life. It was to set in motion a
chain of events that would see him
travel to the other side of the world,
move into a new flat, get a job and
take steps to see his now five-yearold daughter.
Support from a number of
organisations ensured that Brendan
was supported, encouraged and
mentored.
He was first referred to the MACS
charity, which works with young
people aged 16-25. Once there, he
got involved with the Prince’s Trust
and its Fairbridge programme. He
also started going along to a football
league, organised by Street Soccer NI,
every Friday.
At the beginning of September 2014
Brendan was selected as one of the
eight players and the captain of the
NI Homeless World Cup squad. They
set off for Chile to compete against
54 other countries and the squad
brought home the Accion Total Cup,
beating England, Italy and ultimately
Denmark 10-6 in the final.
Brendan said:
“I didn’t know anything about the
Homeless World Cup, I was just turning
up to play football. And I kept going to
the football. There were trials in Derry
and Belfast and I was told I had been
selected as one of eight players for
the Homeless World Cup squad 2014.
Siobhan McCauley, Director of Regional Services with Nichola Mallon, former
Lord Mayor and members of the 2014 squad.
I was told I was going to Chile, I had
never been on a plane before and I
didn’t even have a passport.
“I was happy at football. Even when I
was picked I really thought there was
no way I was going to Chile. But when
it all became real I felt then that life was
going to change for me. I was starting
to build confidence and I started to
feel better in and about myself.
“I had also completed the Prince’s
Trust programme. Having been
excluded from school, I had no
qualifications but now I have
a CV, gaining a lot of different
qualifications. It has all contributed
to helping build my confidence and
boost my self-esteem.
Brendan was also helped into
employment after mentoring from the
East Belfast Mission’s Stepping Stone
Project, which helped him apply for
jobs and secure employment.
“My involvement with Street Soccer
NI and the Homeless World Cup has
been a life-changing experience and
made me realise that I have so much
more to do. I am 26, I have my whole
life in front of me. I have been given
a new lease of life and I now know
that I can achieve something if I really
want to.
“I have my own flat now. I love the
fact that I have my own front door
and a wheelie bin; it’s the simple
things. It gives me a sense of security
and I am hoping that I can now start
to establish a relationship with my
five year old daughter. Her mum
says she is very proud of what I have
achieved and I hope my daughter
will also be proud of me.
And his words of advice for the 2015
squad he will be accompanying to
Amsterdam:
“Just enjoy it. Enjoy the experience
and make the most of the
opportunity given to you.
“If I can do it, anyone can do it.
Everybody has the potential and
it’s just a case of turning up and
committing. If there hadn’t been
the investment in me by all the
organisations who helped me and
the belief of other people in me, I
wouldn’t be where I am today.”
spotlight May 2015
11
Supporting People
The annual OSCAR awards at MACS
Director of Regional Services
Siobhan McCauley speaking
at the launch
On a fresh March Monday
morning last year, MACS
picked up the keys from
Choice Housing Ireland for
seven flats in Newry, and
with Supporting People
and the Southern Trust got
stuck in.
As well as setting up the building,
six young people had moved in
within those initial two weeks,
and that begins to sum up the
energy of MACS in Newry.
Providing supported living for
care leavers and care experienced
young people aged 16-21 brings
many challenges. The transition
and managing your own space
for the first time is a huge
undertaking for anyone, let alone
a care experienced teenager.
For more information
Sinéad O’Flaherty
Service Manager
MACS Supporting Young People
Tel: 028 9031 3163
[email protected]
12
spotlight May 2015
MACS Supported
Housing Newry
Young people need to be nurtured
into their new space, to feel welcome
and safe.
MACS starts by inviting everyone in
for a meal so introductions can begin,
checking in on them with cups of tea
and casual conversations, creating an
environment and relationships that
young people want to be part of and
invest in.
These interactions create
opportunities to explore more fully
what it is young people really want
to do, what they can do and what
they need to work on.
We accept that they have made and
will make mistakes and poor choices
and we therefore operate a high
tolerance policy.
David’s Story …
‘‘Things before MACS were terrible. I was getting
involved with the wrong people, doing the
wrong stuff and not getting on with my
family. Now that I live away from family, I’m
getting on better with them. MACS have
given me the space to decide what I
want to do - I wasn’t sure if I wanted to
go back to my work placement or not,
but MACS didn’t judge or pressure
me.
I really like MACS
because it has given
me a settled home.
I’m learning to make
my own and how
to live independently,
budget, do shopping and
make decent meals. MACS have made a
positive change in my life.’’
Supporting People
Clare’s
Story …
‘‘‘I was referred to Action for
Children in 2012 when I was
17 because my father and I
were constantly fighting and
arguing leading to me living
with my Aunt.
My social worker mentioned
Action for Children and
although at first I was not for it,
I’m glad I agreed.
I had my floating support
worker and it was always up
to me if I wanted to see her,
which was great as I didn’t feel
forced into it.
Treats all round, thanks to these young people
Action for Children
Floating Support
Action for Children Floating Support opened in
November 2007 to provide advice, support and
information to young people aged 16/17 and care
leavers who are affected by homelessness.
Funding provided by Supporting People allows us to offer 46 places to
vulnerable young people in the Omagh and Fermanagh area.
Our Floating Support Service is committed to empowering service users
and fully integrating them into the design, development and delivery of our
service.
We believe that to support young people to maintain independent living in
their community, they need to become fully participating and active members
of their community.
We encourage service users to volunteer within the Floating Support Service
and recognise the value young people gain from preparation for work,
building positive social and support networks, learning new skills and availing
of training opportunities. Participation must be accessible and inclusive and
we work continuously to widen the scope of young people’s involvement.
We aim to listen, react and to constantly learn from and build upon our
experience and success.
She also got me involved with
Women’s Aid to help with
relationships, self-esteem and
managing situations better at
home.
I was given lots of fantastic
opportunities such as going
to the G8 youth summit and
Stormont. Public speaking was
a little nerve wrecking but I’m
so glad I took part as it helped
me get out of my comfort zone
and build confidence.
I have so much to put on my
CV thanks to this group and
have become a far better
person thanks to the service.’’
For more information
Sonya Johnston
Service Co-ordinator
Action for Children Floating
Support Omagh and Fermanagh
Tel: 028 8225 9495
sonya.johnston@
actionforchildren.org.uk
spotlight May 2015
13
Supporting People
Moe’s Story …
‘‘I had to flee my home country as a political
refugee and was allowed to come to Northern
Ireland for our safety. I moved into Glen Alva
Family Centre on the 13th December 2013
with my young son. I was feeling a little
anxious about my new surroundings and was
worried as I had so much to sort out such
as benefits etc. The staff put me at ease and
supported and advised me in every area where
I felt I needed it. If I’m not sure about anything
staff are always on hand to help and I am so
thankful to Glen Alva for the advice and help I
have received since we arrived.’’
Residents get together
On an outing to the Ulster Museum
Glen Alva
Family
Lifehouse
Glen Alva aims to assist and support clients in all aspects
of their needs. We provide emergency accommodation for
homeless families, with up to 77 residents able to be housed
in 20 independent flats.
The Girls Model present Christmas
hampers to Glen Alva
For more information
Ronald Cairns, Service Manager
Glen Alva Lifehouse
19-25 Cliftonville Road, Belfast BT14 6JN
Tel: 028 9035 1185
[email protected]
14
spotlight May 2015
The project team provide a holistic approach in relation to
person-centred active support for each family on a daily
basis. Key workers work with all the families to ensure that
support needs are identified and appropriate assistance
and advice provided to enable them to move out into the
community.
Glen Alva has seen a substantial increase in the number of
homeless families and foreign nationals being referred by
the Housing Executive. These families are unable to claim
any benefits in Northern Ireland for at least three months
meaning they have little or no money to pay for heating,
electricity or food.
This has put a lot of emphasis on the competency of all
concerned within the life-house to tackle urgently benefits
issues, food-banks etc. Thanks to the generosity of local
Corps, Churches, schools and individuals, Glen Alva has been
able to help with all these essentials.
Supporting People
Homecare
Floating Support
Homecare Christmas Hamper
Conor’s Story …
Conor came to live in a
Homecare temporary
accommodation following a
period of time in hospital after a
suicide attempt. Prior to this, he
was living alone and struggled
with an alcohol and drug
addiction. Conor witnessed a
lot of violence, alcohol abuse
and neglect whilst growing up
reporting that he always wanted
felt like he didn’t have a home.
After 3 years in temporary
accommodation Conor has
overcome his addiction
problems and considers
himself to be in on-going
recovery. In June 2014, he was
offered his own permanent
accommodation, is settled and
now feels like this is home.
Homecare Floating Support Services began operating in
October 2010 and were introduced in Newry to provide
support to families aged 17 years+ and individuals
over the age of 25. Since that date 781 service users
have participated in Initial Assessments and on-going
monthly Support Plans.
Our service is available for up to 2 years for each service user, with the aim
of meeting clearly identified goals within this timeframe. We can assist with
advice on housing support, setting up tenancies, daily routines and we
provide a person centred approach in delivering a cost effective and outcome
focused service.
A service user Roy commented: ‘‘It was very good of them to get me my wee
house.”
Of those service users who have entered to date 74% had a successful
outcome, 4% did not achieve any goals (due to exiting from the service) and
22% were continuing to receive support from the service. Our current contract
is for 145 people and at present we have over 150 people on the waiting list
wishing to avail of the service.
We have built up excellent professional working relationships with GPs, Social
Services, and community organisations and continue to work in partnership
with these agencies in trying to prevent homelessness, reduce people
who are experiencing housing related issues and assist people to live more
independently in the community.
Conor said ‘‘Hope takes a day at
a time. It gets better, it will get
better.”
For more information
Charlene McCoy
Temporary Support Services Mgr
Homecare
Tel: 028 3751 1333
[email protected]
Homecare Support Worker Louise with a service user.
spotlight May 2015
15
Photograph by Michael Rooney
Supporting People
Aimee’s
Story …
Aimee has been known to the
night support since 2011. She
is a chronic street drinker and
has found herself excluded
from many hostels in the city
due mainly to her challenging
and aggressive behaviour.
She has a chaotic background
coming from a family where
drink was normalised by her
parents.
Night Support has worked
tirelessly to link this very
vulnerable young woman
back into services and have
negotiated a place in a hostel.
She now regularly attends a GP
and her benefits have all been
re-instated. Night Support
continues to engage with
partner agencies in order to
minimise the risks inherent in
her life.
For more information
Eileen Best, Director of Operations
First Housing Aid & Support
Night Service
Tel: 028 7126 6115
[email protected]
16
spotlight May 2015
The Night Support team with the vehicle which has been funded by the
Policing and Community Safety Partnership
First Housing
Night Support
First Housing Aid & Support Services gives vulnerable
people affected with homelessness a response to their
housing need. Our Night Support Service funded by
Supporting People helps in the fight against rough
sleeping in Derry/L’derry. The service currently offers 65
places to ensure that those who suffer from the worst
excesses of homelessness are given shelter, and a place
to call home.
The service ensures that those who are on the streets drinking are not at threat
of losing their accommodation, damaged through prolonged alcohol abuse,
or in danger of hypothermia. Night Support continues to assist people off the
streets and back to their accommodation offering preventative responses from
issues such as exploitation, risk of violence or even prevention of crime.
There has been a reduction on the number of people sleeping rough achieved
through a multi-agency approach based firmly on a holistic response to
housing and support to address very difficult and challenging needs.
Supporting First Housing’s Way2Go project
aimed at providing information and advice on
the impact of alcohol on individuals, families
and the wider community.
Supporting People
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid has had
many successes in housing
vulnerable individuals and
families and continues to
offer specialist services to
people who are affected
by domestic violence.
Two examples of services
provided are:
Ruth House
In operation since July 2014, Ruth
House is a new service offering
six self-contained fully furnished
apartments for women with specific
needs. The accommodation is based
in Ballymena with access to public
transport facilities, public sector
facilities, shops and leisure facilities.
The service caters to a variety of
clients including older women and
their dependents where either or
both have a disability, women with
mental health issues or addictions
and women who are not suited to
communal living.
Women’s Aid ABCLN and Ulidia
housing Association jointly manage
this innovative project which is
the only one in the local area and
in partnership with the Housing
Executive and Supporting People,
it addresses the need for additional
services and support that has been
presenting in the area for some time.
Criminal Justice Workers
Two criminal justice workers were
employed to support victims
For more information
Fran O’Boyle, Services Manager, Women’s Aid-ABCLN
Tel: 028 2563 213
Email: [email protected]
through the criminal justice process
to increase safety, reduce the
numbers who withdraw from the
criminal justice system and to reduce
repeat victimization. The service
is delivered through funding from
Supporting People and the Northern
Health & Social Care Board within
each district.
The Criminal Justice worker makes
contact with individuals referred and
assesses the risks due to domestic
abuse. They give support to attend
police stations, solicitors and court and
they liaise with the Domestic Violence
Unit and the Public Protection Unit
to ensure the individual is informed
throughout the process. Both posts
are adaptive to deliver a service based
upon local need.
Mark Alexander (right), Housing Executive
Causeway Area Manager, with Lynne
Moody, Causeway Women’s Aid Floating
Support worker, Sharon Burnett, Women’s
Aid Management Co-Ordinator and Carolyn
Crawford, of the Housing Executive.
spotlight May 2015
17
Supporting People
Queens
Quarter
Housing
Queens Quarter
Housing was founded
primarily as an interim
accommodation provider,
in 1996. Through
partnership with the
Housing Executive’s
Supporting People
the service has been
developed to provide
a supportive and high
tolerant environment
for service users who
are experiencing
homelessness and who
have been assessed
to have multiple and
complex needs.
‘‘It is very clear that, without this
type of therapeutic environment
and support provided by
professionally qualified,
experienced and dedicated staff
that many of the clients would
have a reduced quality of life…
and readmission to acute mental
health services.”
We currently provide a range
of shared and self-contained
units of dispersed emergency
accommodation including a number
of dedicated physical disability units
within the wider Belfast area and we
operate on a 24/7, 365 days a year
service underpinned through an
open door culture.
The service seeks to foster an
environment which enables people
to make changes in their own way, in
their own lives and in their own time.
This is delivered through our person
centred assessments and service user
led support planning.
Our experienced and professionally
qualified staff adopt a multidisciplinary approach working in
partnership in the management
of service users to promote
independence and positive change.
‘‘My stay at Queens Quarter
Housing was settling and calming,
staff were more than helpful in
every aspect of life. They have
helped me through a difficult
period and I will be forever
indebted to them.”
Carl (former resident)
David Robinson
(Community Mental Health Nurse,
Recovery Team)
For more information
Martin Toland
Administration Officer
Queens Quarter Housing
Tel: 028 9031 3183
[email protected]
18
spotlight May 2015
Queen’s Quarter Housing social worker, Katy George, with a service user.
Supporting People
Who’s who?
Siobhan McCauley
Director of Regional Services
028 9031 8742 [email protected]
Anne Sweeney
Assistant Director Supporting People & Homelessness
028 9031 8427 [email protected]
Keely McKenna PA to AD
028 9031 8427 [email protected]
Louise Clarke
Liam Kinney
Acting Senior Principal Officer Supporting People
Senior Principal Officer Homelessness
028 9031 8878 [email protected]
028 9031 8020 [email protected]
Regional Teams
Service Development, Policy and Strategy
Lead Officer: Mary McDonnell
Mary McDonnell
028 9031 8508
Homelessness Policy & Strategy
Policy Lead Officer: Sean McGibbon
[email protected]
Sean McGibbon
028 9031 8256
[email protected]
028 9031 8322
[email protected]
028 9031 8639
[email protected]
Joan Finn
028 9031 8428
[email protected]
Gerry Tolan
Eamon Mullan
028 9031 8876
[email protected]
Maureen Kerr
Colin McCloy
028 9031 8405
[email protected]
Homelessness Services Unit
Helen Irvine
028 9031 8779
[email protected]
Katrina Killen
028 9031 8881
[email protected]
David Mayne
028 9031 8790
[email protected]
Connor Smith
(Travellers)
028 9031 8921
[email protected]
Belfast
Area Leads: Liam O’Hanlon, Marion Fisher
Liam O’Hanlon
028 9031 8381
liam.o’[email protected]
Marion Fisher
028 9031 8411
[email protected]
Rory McDonnell
028 9031 8401
[email protected]
Homeless Services Manager: Des Marley
Des Marley
028 9031 8412
[email protected]
Susan Gilbride
028 9031 7413
[email protected]
Finance, Contracts and Payments
Financial Accountant: John Graham
John Graham
028 9031 8877
[email protected]
Ronan Quinn
028 9031 8771
[email protected]
Alan Beattie
028 9031 8116
[email protected]
Evelyn Jamison
028 9031 8415
[email protected]
Donal Brereton
028 9031 8801
[email protected]
Eamon Marley
028 9031 8486
[email protected]
Jonathan Rankin
028 9031 8487
[email protected]
James Taylor
028 9031 8820
[email protected]
North
Vincent Leonard
028 9031 8414
[email protected]
Area Lead: Mary Rainey
Patrick Hughes
028 9031 8214
[email protected]
Mary Rainey
David Foy
028 9031 8692
[email protected]
Fionnuala McArdle 028 9031 8758
[email protected]
Richard Begley
[email protected]
028 9031 8900
028 9031 8921
[email protected]
Angela McLaughlin 028 2566 6224
[email protected]
Sara-Jane Hegarty 028 7130 6233
[email protected]
Orla Murphy
[email protected]
028 9031 8779
South
Area Lead: Sharon Haughey
Sharon Haughey
028 3831 0517
[email protected]
Rosemary Owens
028 9031 8406
[email protected]
Joe Quinn
028 9031 8513
[email protected]
Darren Stockdale
028 9031 8692
[email protected]
spotlight May 2015
19
May 2015
www.nihe.gov.uk
Designed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Visual Communications team.
Collated by Stephen Kane, Supporting People.
RS/79/03/15