Real Life Stories: How SW has turned his life around thanks to BHT’s Finding Futures Project

Finding Futures is a work and learning provider working with the most disadvantaged and marginalised people aged 14  – 16 and all
those of working age across Hastings and Rother. SW is a client who has made huge progress since joining the programme.  This is his story:

“SW was referred by a Work Programme provider, his referral paper readily acknowledge that he has a learning difficulty. 

“S attended his initial interview with his Mum and was not particularly confident in participating with his Mum answering on his behalf. S’s first goal was to attend without his Mum, which he achieved after his second visit.

“S joined a small group of young adults with similar support needs – literacy, numeracy, confidence, social skills – and soon settled in.  He is now one of most vociferous and jolly learners, if not THE most!

“S is a keen and enthusiastic member of the ‘Finding Futures Team’ and, if he’s not too busy, will deign to make you a cup of tea, if you ask nicely!!

“He has now achieved his Level 1 Maths, he is working toward achieving  his Volunteering Passport, with support from HVA, and has a work placement at the Fisherman’s Museum. S is a keen participant in Old Town Carnival where he hopes to join a float. His biggest dilemma at the moment concerns his fancy dress costume!”

Finding Futures is funded by the Big Lottery.

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

The invaluable work of advice services, services which are now under threat

In today’s Argus there was a report on the prosecution by Hastings Borough Council of a landlord for ignoring a property improvement notice. The landlord, who is well known to BHT’s Hastings Advice Centre in Hastings, failed to deal with damp, fire safety and domestic hygiene hazards. He was fined £4,250 and ordered to pay full costs.

The Argus quotes Cllr Kim Forward, Hastings’ lead member for housing: “We are sending a clear message to the landlords in our town who do not comply with the regulations which ensure their tenants are adequately protected. We will not tolerate poor housing, and if you won’t work with us to improve your property if it is substandard, you can expect us to use the full force of the law against you.”

What did not come across in the article was the persistent and sterling efforts of BHT staff who pursued this case for over 12months. With reforms to legal aid and the squeeze on funding from local councils, our ability to take on cases like this will be severely limited.

BHT advice staff are often not recognised for their work. They deal with issues like this on a daily basis and, as a result, can receive abuse and threats from certain landlords (although most landlords are dedicated to providing a good service and are responsive to the welfare of their tenants). At the same time advice staff cope with clients who can be challenging. They then have the backdrop of the uncertainty over their future because of funding cuts.

A civil society should be judged by how it treats the weakest and most marginalised of its community. BHT Hastings Advice, with Hastings Borough Council, have shown how a civil society should respond to poor housing. It is a shame that such services are under threat.

Reaction to BHT’s plans to provide temporary accommodation in converted shipping containers

There have been several comments regarding the plans by BHT and our development partner, QED, to provide temporary accommodation in converted shipping containers.

Robert Heale, writing in Wednesday’s Argus, said he was generally in support of the idea as long as people’s health and safety is ensured and there is some consultation with local residents.  I can assure Rob that the containers have been converted to the highest possible standards.  They are the same containers as being used in Amsterdam where the residents are very positive about their experience living in these homes.  One comment that has particularly struck me is the positive feedback regarding the lower heating costs given a good insulation that these homes have.

We are interested in the views of neighbours.  I attended the London Road Local Action Team on Tuesday evening to speak about the proposal and to listen to feedback from local businesses and residents.  I will continue to report on this blog on comments I receive.

Ian Hunt from Worthing has said that he is “a little uneasy with the plan of herding people into shipping containers”.  I can assure him that that will not happen.  The people who will live there will do so by choice and already I have been surprised by the number of people who have approached us asking to be put on the waiting list for this development.

Trevor Alford from Portslade is concerned about reports from west London where he says there are “entire shantytowns springing up” and where elements of the communities are “renting out their sheds and garages for other people to live in”.  I too have read such reports and it is one of the motivating factors behind this proposal, to provide properly designed, refurbished and equipped temporary accommodation. The accommodation we are proposing will be of a high standard with good thermal comfort, particularly important at this time of year.  In an ideal world there would be ample homes for everyone.  Unfortunately, there is currently an acute shortage of affordable housing, particularly in high cost areas like Brighton and Hove.  Our proposal is to provide a temporary solution to the housing needs of three dozen people.  It is not a permanent solution and we are seeking just temporary planning permission for this pilot.

Please let me know what your views are, positive or negative, about our plans.

Opposing the demonising of homeless men and women and applauding the actions of Hastings Borough Council

This is the text of my letter published in today’s Hastings Observer in response to very unpleasant comments about homeless households published in a recent edition of the paper (“Residents furious as homeless move in” 19 October 2012):

“I write in support of the action taken by Hastings Borough Council in securing emergency temporary accommodation for homeless households in St Leonards.

“While the concerns of neighbours should be heard, several of the statements reported in the Observer do not reflect well on the majority of residents of the town.

“The demonisation of homeless people by a resident of Eisenhower Drive is particularly unbecoming. There is no evidence from any chartered surveyor body that property prices fall merely because people in housing need are accommodated in a nearby facility. And to suggest that homeless men and women might vandalise a new car is particularly sad and reflects badly on the individual. Homeless people far more likely to be the victims of crime than the perpetrators.

“I was heartened, however, by the comment of another resident who said: ‘One of our friends recently had their homes repossessed and he needed emergency accommodation.’ He is right. Homelessness is happening to people from all classes and backgrounds. Hastings Borough Council should be applauded for its actions.”

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..

Charities must live three years in the future, not hark back to better times three years in the past

At the weekend I spoke at the National Housing Federation’s annual Board Members’ Conference in Birmingham. The Argus picked up on what I said including the following warning to charities:

“Charities must live three years in the future, not hark back to better times three years in the past.

“Many smaller charities may not survive in the short term, and trustees and chief executives should act now to come to avoid the loss of services.  Tough decisions are required to ensure that services do not disappear, decisions such as the planned merger of organisations, the sharing of back office facilities, and the co-location of  services and organisations. We must not be precious about things that might be important to us but are completely irrelevant to our clients.

“Many charities are running out of cash, and potentially that will lead to chaos if organisations become insolvent, with services for vulnerable people disappearing overnight

“There is an ethical duty for trustees and executives to act now.”

Here are some examples of where action has been successful, helping to safeguard services and jobs, such as the merger in 2010 between BHT and Hastings Community Housing Association, Threshold Women’s counselling service becoming part of BHT, and shared IT between BHT and Sussex Central YMCA.

In spite of the cut in income, BHT is in a relatively secure position because of controversial action taken in 2009 to control costs. It was not comfortable to have a quarter of BHT staff go out on strike, but the actions taken then has meant that we have not had to cut services to vulnerable men and women, or make any redundancies.

BHT’s reputation did take a knock, but it has recovered as people, including some of those who went out on strike, can now acknowledge that action taken then has protected services and jobs today. BHT is a well governed, well managed organisation

I can’t rule out any job losses in the future. Massive cuts in legal aid funding in 2013 will be impossible to absorb, and there will be very negative impacts on people who will not be able to access basic legal advice and representation. We are putting together creative ways of minimising the impact including new alliances and funding sources. But in spite of this, legal aid cuts will have a profound impact.

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.

Learners who are moving forward in their lives and who motivate me

One of the great delights of my job is meeting the men and women who use our different services, and to hear how they are moving forward in their lives. It is a particular honour to join them when celebrating a success.

Andy Winter, Richard Wilkinson and Rosalyn Demott

This week in Hastings I met Rosalyn Demott and Richard Wilkinson who are part of our Finding Futures. Finding Futures is best known for its work with young people who are not in employment, education or training. When they leave us they are usually in education and training and hopefully will progress further into employment.

But Finding Futures’ work is also focused on work with older men and women, like Rosalyn and Richard. Today I was able to present them with certificates having passed Health and Safety exams.

Rosalyn told me Finding Futures and gaining this latest certificate has given her more confidence. “I can do exams and pass them”, she said. She has passed literacy and numeracy exams and has a First Aid certificate. She said: “I want to do more exams and get more qualifications. I never knew I could do this at 56!”

Richard said it is many years since he has sat an exam. “I’m very please”, he said. “It’s given me more confidence. I’ve an interest in health and safety so I am pleased that I have done this course, passed the exam, and have now got my certificate.”

It is people like Rosalyn and Richard who inspire me and who motivate me in my work. I wish them well as they move forward in their education and training.

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)