|
promoting voluntary action Liaison - Representation - Development Work - Strategic Partnership - Promoting Volunteering & Voluntary Action - Quality Services - Governance & Performance
|
||||||
|
Contact Details: Tel: 023 8021 6000 Street
Homeless Prevention Team - Leaflet
Southampton Voluntary Services Team Leader – Julie Marron Support Workers – Sarah Jeffery Sarah Gale, Dave Cotton, Martin Smith Tel: 80216000
STREET HOMELESS PREVENTION TEAM TASK FORCE VOLUNTEER PROJECTS The Street Homeless Prevention Team assist and support people who are street homeless or imminently at risk of becoming street homeless. The Task Force Volunteer project offers meaningful activities and learning opportunities to people who are living in temporary homeless accommodation or have recently resettled into more permanent housing. The Street Homeless Prevention Team is part of Southampton Voluntary Services. Southampton Voluntary Services is a registered charity. Project Aims To help people rebuild their lives after a period of street homelessness by offering activities to build self esteem, combat isolation and facilitate positive lifestyle changes. Identified Need and Context It is widely recognised that getting off the street is only the first step in the recovery from homelessness. Projects that offer meaningful activities within a safe and supportive environment play a key role in this journey. The Task Force Volunteer Project is the only service in Southampton providing these opportunities specifically to people with a homelessness history, thus providing the confidence needed for these individuals to take the first tentative steps towards mainstream training and employment options. The service works in partnership with other homelessness services in the city and provides a range of support and activities that individuals remain involved in throughout their journey from hostel to settled accommodation. Description of Project The Project currently focuses on four main activities:
In addition to these main activities, the project coordinator provides one to one advice and support to enable service users to access learning and volunteer opportunities specific to their goals and aspirations. The project also runs ad hoc craft sessions which assist with engagement and motivation. Monitoring Effectiveness and Achievements The project provides quarterly reports against agreed outcomes. Outcomes are measured by the number of individuals participating in activities and the number moving into more mainstream education, training and employment as a consequence of their involvement in these initial activities. The project always exceeds agreed hard targets and partner organisations report noticeable positive changes in service user’s confidence, self esteem and motivation following participation in the projects. The project coordinator relies on volunteers (many of whom are ex service users) to assist in the supervision of projects. Football Sessions - These are currently held fortnightly from September to June. The sessions are extremely popular. In 2008 - 2009, 97 service users participated in the sessions from 13 different homelessness services. Allotment Project - This is a highly successful project that has expanded to take on a further plot during the last year. The allotment not only provides the opportunity to grow home produce but also brings people together and encourages team working. Painting and Decorating Task Force - This project involves a small group of ex and current service users with a range of skills. Many of these individuals were employed in this area before becoming homeless; others are learning new skills from their peers. The projects are community based and provide a service to those who, for various reasons are unable to do the work themselves Befriending Service - The befriending service offers informal support on a ‘one to one basis’ to individuals unable to participate in group activities. It aims to combat the isolation that is often experienced by people moving away from a street lifestyle. The service provides a variety of individualised support to help people achieve a fulfilling and independent lifestyle. Activities are varied and have included playing badminton, watching a football game, attending bingo, going for walks and day trips, shopping and going out for coffee. The activities are restricted by funds which are needed to cover the cost of volunteers travel and contribute to the cost of activities. The project encourages and supports ex service users to become befrienders as peer mentoring has proven to be extremely effective within homelessness services. In addition to these specific areas (above). The project coordinator is constantly looking at new ways of engaging service users who have not become involved in existing activities. Activities are dependent on individual small grants that are secured throughout the year. Recent activities have included a card making workshop, silk screen printing, gym sessions, badminton, service user meetings and the publication of a service user magazine.
For more details see links |
||||||
|
|
||||||
Southampton Voluntary Services is a Registered
Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3515397.
Registered Charity No. 1068350
Site designed by: Southampton Voluntary Services.
Copyright © 2006 Southampton Voluntary Services All Rights Reserved.
Page Last Updated: 22 June 2009