Good news as BHT-led partnership is given the go-ahead to bid for £9.2 million Big Lottery funding

We have had some very good news this week which is attracting some media interest.  A consortium, being led by BHT, is in the running for funding from the Big Lottery of up to £10 million over 8 years.  The initiative is designed to improve services for men and women with complex needs (a combination of mental ill health, homelessness, offending behaviour and substance misuse problems) in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Between now and September, a full bid and business plan needs to be prepared.  A decision will then be made by the Big Lottery and the new services will begin from April 2014.

The purpose of this funding is to bring about lasting change in how services work with people with multiple and complex needs; this funding is a vehicle to help bring about that change. The legacy of the 8 year programme will be that systems and services in all 3 geographical areas will better meet the needs of this group.

At this stage we have been awarded funding to develop the bid on behalf of our partnership which includes partners in local government and in the third / charity sectors.  Should the partnership be successful, it won’t just be BHT staff (contrary to what the Argus reported this morning) who will provide services.

My colleagues, Nikki Homewood and Jo Berry, are leading on this initiative for BHT. Nikki said: “As the lead partner for the Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings area, BHT is thrilled to receive funding to develop our partnership bid to ensure better service provision for people with the most complex needs.

“Using the wealth of knowledge and expertise within our local Core Group, comprising seven voluntary sector organisations and five statutory partners including commissioners, along with the 60+ organisations in our Partnership Group, we will develop a programme that will truly bring about change for the clients the programme work with, and local communities.

“Our vision is to bring about long-term systemic change by putting service users at the heart of services, fully understanding what they need in order to move forward with their lives: thorough monitoring and evaluation will result in well-evidenced findings, which will then be used to influence future commissioning.”

BHT’s partners in this initiative, and who are represented on the local Core Group, include: Brighton and Hove City Council, Brighton Women’s Centre, CRI, East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Homeless Link, Sanctuary Supported Living, Southdown Housing Association, Sussex Oakleaf, Sussex Probation Service

Seeking advice at the earliest possible time can save a huge amount of time, added complications and worry

We can’t pick up the newspapers these days without hearing about the struggle ordinary people have in making ends meet. Inflation is up again, fuel bills are causing huge anxiety, and many households going ow having to cope with the additional cost of Christmas.

Where households are getting into financial difficulties it is important that they get advice at the earliest possible time.

I’ve recently been told that our Eastbourne Advice Centre is seeing an increase in the number of people who are delaying seeking advice until their situation is at a critical point.

My colleague, Sue Hennell,  BHT’s Advice Services Manager  in East Sussex  told me  that it is very common for people to feel unable to face up to the growing difficulties if at all possible.  She said that it is never too late to get advice but that her advice is not to delay if at all possible.  Early advice can save a huge amount of time, added complications and worry.

Sue told me: “In over 80% of housing cases, we either prevent homelessness or achieve other positive outcomes such as sorting out disrepair and helping with finding accommodation.”

Here is an example of a client, John (not his real name) who we have helped. John was a client of our Eastbourne Advice Centre and knows first-hand how important it is to get advice as soon as possible. He said: “I came to the advice centre because I was unemployed and six months behind on my mortgage payments. I had left it and left it and eventually it got so bad that the mortgage company applied to the County Court for a Warrant of Possession.

“I thought that I would lose my home and couldn’t see a way out of it.

“I went to see an adviser at BHT Sussex and they realised I had not been receiving a state pension or pension credits. They were able to adjourn the hearing for 6 weeks and make an application for the state pension and pension credits.

“I received a backdated payment which allowed me to pay off my mortgage arrears and I was then able to pay my mortgage each month with the on-going payments.

“I had spent the last six months worrying about losing my home and wondering what I was going to do. Early advice would have prevented all of this worry and stress. I should have sought advice as soon as the problem started.”

BHT Sussex Eastbourne Advice has recently moved to share an office with Citizens Advice Bureau, Eastbourne. The co-location of the two advice agencies has resulted in a ‘one stop shop’ for advice in Eastbourne.

Click here for contact details of our advice centres in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

Meeting housing need requires cross-authority co-operation in Sussex

Martin Randall, head of planning and public protection at Brighton and Hove City Council, has called on neighbouring authorities, including the South Downs National Park Authority, to help the region meet housing need.  I think Martin is absolutely right.  The National Housing Federation has said that the number of new homes needed in East Sussex alone is set to increase from 354,600 in 2012 to 434,000 by 2033.

Yet the National Housing Federation has reported that Sussex Councils have reduced their house-building targets for the next 15 years by 43%. In Mid Sussex the target has been reduced from 17,100 to just 10,600.

Neighbouring authorities may not like it, but the Brighton and Hove economy is the powerhouse within the region and the well-being of neighbouring authorities, including Adur, Worthing, Crawley, Lewes, Mid Sussex and others, depend on a balance provision of housing and jobs across all authorities.

Eastbourne Borough Council deserves praise, having increased its target from 4,800 new homes to 5,022, and Worthing which has maintained its 4,000 target.

Brighton and Hove, under successive administrations, has had vision regarding the provision of housing, its economic success and that of the sub region. Far from Brighton and Hove trying to push housing need onto neighbouring areas, as claimed by the leader of Crawley Borough Council, the City Council is doing what it can but wider co-operation is necessary if we are to meet the housing needs of our children and others, and for the ongoing success of the sub regional economy.

 

Providing highly-rated support to men and women in Eastbourne

I have been sent quotes from clients of BHT’s Home Works project in Eastbourne which we run in a partnership with Southdown Housing Association. The service is funded by East Sussex County Council through the Supporting People programme.

“…the workers have given me more confidence and I can do things I couldn’t believe (possible)”

“…the support and guidance was amazing.  She has helped build my confidence and made me a stronger, happier person”

“…from start to finish my needs were met beyond my expectation……there is always room for improvement although since I have received such good support I fail to see where improvements could be made”

“I am in awe of the support that I have been given”

“…without doubt I would not still be here if not for you and your team…”

“…I have accessed Housing Benefit myself to get my rent paid directly to me after having meetings with my worker, I have more capability to do things on my own…”

“…..I was treated with respect and as an individual despite my disability, and my personal choice adhered to…”

What is great about Home Works is that men and women from across East Sussex don’t have to worry about approaching different organisations. It is just Home Works whether you live in Eastbourne, Hastings, Wealden, Rother or Lewes. You can be assured of a first class service whether it is provided by BHT or Southdown staff

If you live in Eastbourne, Lewes or Wealden, contact Home Works West on 01273 898700

If you live in Hastings or Rother, contact Home Works East on 01424 858341

Real Life Stories: Sue’s Story

This is the second in a series of Real Life Stories, the experiences of BHT clients in their own words:

“I am at last writing to you to inform you of how Homeworks has helped me over the past 18 months.

“In September, 2010 I experienced a period of severe clinical depression which necessitated me leaving my job, and therefore the accommodation that was tied to that job. I had minimal input from the Mental Health Teams despite two suicide attempts in a week, but I was given a Homeworks leaflet.

“On contacting Homeworks, I met Mandy, who instantly facilitated looking into my options. She linked me in with Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance, which was something I had absolutely no prior experience or knowledge of.

“I quickly moved in with relatives, after my landlady staged a break-in at the cottage I was soon to vacate, in order to encourage me to move out quicker than the four week notice period. I eventually moved in with my Mother, with my 2 children, to a rented house in Eastbourne and thanks to Mandy’s advice added my name to the tenancy which then permitted me to claim Housing Benefit, facilitating a level of independence. She also suggested applying for Disability Living Allowance, which was granted. I used the first payment, which was back-dated to September, to pay for a week’s respite at Forresters in Southampton, again Mandy’s idea, which was a really useful break.

“Mandy helped me to navigate the Mental Health Teams, which was something I just could not manage, and liaised between the acute and community services, which at that time did not appear to communicate, in order to find out where I was on the list for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and which list I was on; a list I had been added to at least a year earlier before I became acutely unwell.

“I saw Mandy weekly and provided a huge amount of emotional and practical support. She sorted out all my Benefit applications, which was further complicated by divorce proceedings and imminent sale of my part of the marital home. We used the Eastbourne Advice Centre on a number of occasions to clarify matters relating to Benefits. I would not have been capable of any of this without Mandy’s help and support.

“At this time Mandy also supported me through making a complaint to the NHS regarding the lack of mental health care I was experiencing. Having written to the NHS Trust and getting no reply, I eventually wrote to my MP, Norman Baker, detailing my experiences, who contacted the Trust on my behalf. Mandy and myself subsequently attended two meetings, one with an Acute Services Manager and one with the ‘Adult Mental Health Recovery Team’ Manager, and ultimately received a written unreserved apology from the Trust.

“Since contacting my M.P. the care I have received has been good, with regular support from a Clinical Psychologist for several months, followed by a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and regular follow up with a Consultant Psychiatrist.

“Again, Mandy’s support was instrumental in pushing to get the mental health support I needed, and which was not forth-coming until I complained. She helped me to stay calm enough to get my point across when I was finding everything very difficult.

“In March 2011, my Mother needed to move on and I became homeless. Mandy supported me through submitting a Homeless Application, which was accepted by Lewes District Council. I moved to a series of Bed and Breakfast accommodation, to Seaford for a weekend, to Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne for a couple of months, then to Hanson Road, Newhaven, for three months. Mandy supported me through all these moves, which were stressful, unsettling, expensive and a bureaucratic ordeal, as each move required a new Housing Benefit application, requiring new evidence etc. At Hanson Road, I managed to persuade the Council to allow my 2 cats to be returned to me, by supplying a “cat reference” and supporting letter from my GP, which again were Mandy’s ideas.

“At each step Mandy’s gentle insistence that all the options be looked at, gave me the feeling that I could make the decisions regarding my future, which was very difficult due to my mental health problems at the time. She facilitated my independence when I felt very low and unable to mentally juggle all the issues that were immersing me.

“In October 2011, I moved to a three-bed house in Newhaven, and am currently on a starter tenancy, with the full likelihood of going on to a secure tenancy. I have a house that suits my family’s needs, is affordable, and close to my children’s school in Seaford. Mandy’s support at every step of the way has enabled me to get to a point where I am again living independently and in receipt of Benefits that are enabling me to recover from my mental health problems.

“I cannot thank Mandy and Homeworks enough for the help and support that I received during a very difficult time. Without that help, I have no idea where I would be.”

Real Life Stories: Lesley’s Story

I often receive letters and notes from clients of BHT’s services that tell real life stories about how they have seen their lives changed by the support, advice and encouragement of our staff.  I am planning to publish these accounts, with the agreement of the individual concerned, on this blog. The words are theirs, not mine:

“I am a single woman who found myself homeless and unemployed due to a combination of circumstances, this was not something that I had expected or planned for.

“I found my way into your service by speaking to the Eastbourne Job Centre who advised me to approach BHT Eastbourne Advice, I was unsure of the processes involved but received help and advice from the receptionist who made an appointment for me to speak to the accommodation advisor.

“Within days I had a roof over my head and a support package provided by Firm Foundations and Homework’s that has helped me to get back on my feet.

“By having a roof over my head and the support of the organisation I have been able to achieve many of my goals, I am now self-employed and although not earning fortunes I am more independent financially and more confident for the future.

“I believe that the opportunities given to me by BHT have been life changing, I am now looking forward to finding my own accommodation in the private rented sector and rebuilding my life.

“I strongly believe in what BHT are doing to help the homeless and I am looking to become a volunteer with the Tenancy Centre to help other people.

“Thank you.”

Exciting times at BHT

We have an exciting few months ahead of us with various BHT developments coming to fruition in Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton.

In Hastings, Renaissance House, a new advice and community hub, will open from the beginning of April. It will provide a home for the advice partnership in Hastings and St Leonards, made up of HARC, CA1066, and BHT.
Also located there will be Finding Futures, BHT’s personal development and motivational programme designed for unemployed adults (16+) with multiple barriers to learning and employment and who may, as one of those barriers, be homeless or insecurely housed. Finding Futures also works with students at Key Stage 4 level (14 years plus).

From the beginning of April, the Tenancy Centre, to be based in Eastbourne, takes over the management of BHT’s general needs properties and leased properties in the private rented sector, and responsibility for maintenance for all properties.

Working in the way we do with the private rented sector is designed to increase housing opportunities for our clients. Staff working in PRS Solutions have been working to a target of 222 bedsits and flats in management by 31 March. Not only have they achieved this target, it looks as though they will be 301 properties in management by this date. Many of these bedsits and flats would not have been available to our clients were it not for this initiative.

Staff are currently being recruited and will move into their new office in Susan’s Road, Eastbourne, from the beginning of March.

Based in Brighton, but working also in Hastings and Eastbourne, is the new BHT Intern Programme. Funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and BHT itself, the Intern Programme will boost the chances of those people embarking on a work career after, in many cases, years on the margins of society.

It is our aim that at any one time 40 Interns will be working across the organisation (on six-month placements for a minimum of two days a week) gaining valuable workplace experience and undertaking a tailored training programme.

These are not easy times but it feels good that there are a number of positive developments at BHT.

If you would like to receive a regular copy of the BHT eZine, a monthly electronic newsletter, please email me..

Foodbanks – we will be seeing much more of them in the future

I read an article on the Eastbourne Foodbank in the Eastbourne Herald last week. It was a very positive article, yet at the same time extremely depressing. The Foodbank opened a year ago in Bridgemere Road but has outgrown that premises and at the beginning of February moved into new premises at Cornfield Lane.

I couldn’t agree more with the project manager, Howard Wardle, who said: “In many ways it’s very sad that our services are in such demand but times are very tough for people and supplying an emergency pack of food is really the least we can do to help ease the situation.”

He explained how the Eastbourne Foodbank provides three days worth of food per household. It is entirely reliant on donations.

Since the Eastbourne Foodbank was opened, it has helped more than 1,200 individuals. Howard says he knows that there are many other people out there who do need their help.

Today (Shrove Tuesday) I read a tweet from someone from the Big Lottery who was at the opening of a foodbank in the Midlands. They commented that the turnout was great and the pancakes even better. Food banks seem to be emerging everywhere.

In Brighton and Hove, the City Mission provides food, very often to people who have had their benefits suspended and who would go without food without this essential service. It is a sign of our times, and a very sad one, that food banks are springing up all over the place.

I have just added the word ‘foodbank’ into my dictionary on my PC since it is a word I suspect we will all be using a great deal in the future, and a service that people living in poverty will depend on.

What’s in a name?

Today BHT changed its name. Well, sort of. We changed how we are known on Twitter, from @BrightonHT to @BHT_Sussex. Now I doubt this will make the front page of the Argus. Nor will it even get a brief reference in the Hastings Observer or the Eastbourne Gazette. But it should.

The reason for this change is to reflect more acurately who we are and where we work. @BrightonHT gives the impression that we are a Brighton-centric organisation. I guess that comes from our actual name being Brighton Housing Trust!

But on Twitter we have changed our name. BHT started in Brighton and it remains the area where we do most. But other areas are increasingly important, not least Eastbourne (where we have been delivering services for 20 years or more) and Hastings where, in spite of being the new kid on the block, we now have services turning over almost £2.5 million each year. There is an excitingly development in Hastings, we are now setting up, in partnership with the Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC) and Citizen’s Advice (CA1066) an advice and community hub.

So the change in name isn’t something earth shattering, but it is important that we are not seen in the wrong light outside Brighton.

Alcohol-related harm in Brighton & Hove, Hastings and Eastbourne

Brighton	Regional	Brighton & Hove
Male deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	10.1	25.5
Female deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	4.6	6.3
Male deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	11.0	22.5
Female deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	5.8	8.8
Alcohol-related violent crime (per 1,000)	5.7	7.1
Adults estimated to binge drink	18.1%	27.3%

 

Hastings	Regional	Hastings
Male deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	10.1	15.1
Female deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	4.6	5.9
Male deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	11.0	12.6
Female deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	5.8	7.6
Alcohol-related violent crime (per 1,000)	5.7	7.9
Adults estimated to binge drink	18.1%	20.8%

 

Eastbourne	Regional	Eastbourne
Male deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	10.1	18.5
Female deaths due to alcohol (per 100,000)	4.6	6.3
Male deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	11.0	18
Female deaths from chronic liver disease (per 100,000)	5.8	7.8
Alcohol-related violent crime (per 1,000)	5.7	6.7
Adults estimated to binge drink	18.1%	16.0%

My only comment is that every indicator (other than the estimated number of binge drinkers in Eastbourne) is worse than the regional average.

Source: Association of Public Health Observatories in England (September 2010)