Reaching out to people made homeless in Powys

Two Community Connectors working at Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Lynda Rogers - South and Rebecca Henderson - North, have been allocated to work directly with clients presenting as homeless via Powys County Council. They will be coordinating the Third sector (voluntary) support which is required by individuals.

I caught up with Lynda and Rebecca to find out more about this important work.

Why are two from the Connectors’ team best placed to carry out this work?

Within the Connector team there is a vast knowledge and experience of the third sector homelessness support, and of working with third sector organisations to find the most appropriate support for the client. This would be after having a conversation with the individual about what really matters to them.

Will you be working closely with other agencies?

Yes, we will be working as part of a triage team of support across Powys. We will be supporting clients either virtually, within a HUB multi agency drop in session, or 1:1 as deemed most appropriate and as suitable. (Currently we are working within the restrictions of Covid-19 and we are not delivering 1:1 support face to face).

The Connectors have vast experience of arranging, hosting and delivering ‘drop in’ information support sessions across Powys. For example, pre Covid some Connectors would hold weekly drop in sessions at library or health settings.

How is somebody referred in for this support?

Referrals are made into the service via our duty system. Upon receiving a referral the duty officer will assign it to the relevant Connector via our Customer Record Management system (CRM). Our duty system operates from 9am - 4pm, Mon - Fri, with an out of hours answerphone system also in place. Referral can also be received via email to a dedicated duty email account.

We have in fact been given a large list from the outset and professionals are referring new clients to us as they add them to the temporarily accommodated clients/ homeless people list.

Tell us more about how the support works

We will work with the client addressing the ‘What Matters conversation’. On identifying the presenting issues we will coordinate the support for the client, accessing the most appropriate and timely third sector support available. We work closely with third sector organisations including POBL, the Mind groups, Ponthafren Association, Age Cymru Powys and Powys Citizens Advice bureau.

As Connectors we will work with other professionals within the partnership (see below) to support the client, address any issues, and ensure clear communication regarding the support that is being given and obtained.

Our work will ensure that support is given in a timely manner, taking into account the fact that most clients are housed in temporary housing accommodation and need to receive support in order to move into more appropriate housing.

Which other organisations are in this partnership?

We are attending the meetings of housing teams and the Homeless Cell Multi-agency group. The latter is a multi agency group formed during Covid-19 to plan support for individuals presenting as homeless. We attend the meetings to ensure that true partnership support is in place for the client. We also inform partners of the support obtained to date, the progress of the support and input into discussions regarding clients.

The added benefit of the Connectors attending a team meeting is also to inform Powys County Council Housing staff of third sector support that is available so that they can more readily support other clients they may be working with.

What experience does the Connectors’ service bring to this work?

The Connector Service has previous experience of working within other teams such as the Dementia Home Treatment Team and the Winter Pressures Co-ordination team, for example, to deliver third sector support to clients.

What can lead someone to become homeless in Powys?

Many things! Every case is different. It could be a breakdown of family relationships. Perhaps parents are not able to accommodate an older child over sixteen. Also there is an unstable private rentals sector and the cost of private rentals can be prohibitive for people.

Homelessness can have a massive negative impact on a person’s mental health.

During the first Covid lockdown in March homeless people were regarded as vulnerable and in priority need. This approach is continuing in the Phase 2 Homelessness Project.

Have you had any feedback about the project so far?

Feedback from clients:

'Hi just wanted to say thanks for your help recently with warm regards.'

'It's been really helpful talking to you, thanks.'

‘I would not have raised the issue with my manager, if you had not pointed out I am being bullied, by accepting the name calling from my colleagues.'

'Thanks so much for helping me find financial support to pay for the vet to look after my cats.'

Feedback from officers:

‘This is great work. We can’t believe the amount of voluntary organisations in Powys who are able to help support people.’

What are the most challenging areas of this work?

The work can be emotionally draining as well as politically upsetting and frustrating.

What are the most rewarding aspects?

Being part of a team where everyone is working towards the same goals, and helping individuals gain support whilst in crisis.

When you are not working as Community Connectors how do you like to spend your spare time?

We enjoy hanging out with our families, cooking, reading novels, gardening and walking footpaths.

Many thanks to Lynda and Rebecca for telling us about their work supporting homeless people. If you would like to find out more you can contact them by emailing: community.connectors@pavo.org or tel: 01597 828649.

Helping our Homeless

Nicky Pugh, Ashley Morris and Sarah Mason

I recently came across this relatively new group in Llandrindod Wells on Facebook. Prior to that I had not realised that there was support for homeless people in Powys, and realised I knew very little about the subject. Homelessness is suddenly very much in the news – particularly in Windsor because of an imminent Royal wedding – but what of the situation in Powys?

Reading on further on the group’s Facebook page I discovered that much fundraising work had taken place locally in the lead up to Christmas 2017. As a result Helping our Homeless had “supported homeless in Swansea, Cardiff and in our local vicinity, most recently supporting local homeless with clothing, essential items of food and toiletries and footwear.”

Keen to find out more, I messaged the group on Facebook, and one of the group’s founders, Sarah Mason, quickly got in touch. She told me how she, Ashley and Kayleigh Morris, Lee Jarvis and Nicky Pugh came together to take action to help homeless people.

Tell us how the group Helping our Homeless came about and why?

Last year I saw a post on Facebook from Ashley, who was going to do a calendar where every day he placed an item in a box to give to the homeless at the end of the time. I messaged Ashley and his wife to offer some donations as she had been collecting items over the past couple of years and donated these. Ashley and Kayleigh accepted my donation, and this led to us talking about possibly going bigger.

During the year I met Lee Jarvis in a local supermarket and we spoke about homelessness and raising money. Lee agreed this was a good way forward and came on board. Another friend, Nicky, joined us soon later.

After September, I contacted all the interested parties and we met in a local pub where we put together a plan of what we would like to achieve. To be honest we have never looked back.

What is the main purpose of the group?

We want to provide practical and emotional support to homeless people and their animal companions. At the same time we hope to raise awareness of homelessness with the general population.

Who is eligible for support from Helping our Homeless?

Anyone who is street homeless in Wales (but not exclusively), and their animal companions.

We also work with agencies and individuals to reduce poverty and prevent homelessness. In particular we are keen to support Shelters across Wales and in surrounding areas.

How many homeless people are there in Powys roughly and how are where are they living?

A lot of homeless people in Powys are not accounted for on the rough sleeping count as unlike the street homeless in the cities, we don’t always see them here. In a large rural county people could be sleeping rough in barns or farm outbuildings, or in woodland, and remain hidden much of the time.

(The National Rough Sleeping Count, produced by the Welsh Government, is “an annual report which includes information on the estimated number of persons sleeping rough over a two week period and the number of persons observed sleeping rough.”)

Why are people homeless in Powys or elsewhere?

There is no one reason why people become homeless. All kinds of factors can lead to homelessness, including health issues, unemployment, and family breakdown. Many homeless people have previously been employed and in a position to pay for their housing, but something suddenly changes and their lives are turned upside down.

Some of the key factors leading to homelessness include: benefit changes, a rise in the cost of living, the loss of employment and a lack of new job opportunities. Also a person’s mental health may deteriorate, they may have drug and alcohol or other addictions, or a completely unexpected change in their circumstances could lead to homelessness.

It is said that most people are just two pay cheques away from poverty and three from homelessness.

What support does Helping our Homeless provide to people?

We provide essentials, care, and face-to-face interaction, whether in Powys or further afield.

On the practical side, we find that the essential items homeless people really do need are food, care packs, toiletries, clothing and some form of shelter for their time on the streets. Tents and sleeping bags are very popular! We will also provide first aid provisions.

We talk to people. We empathise. We guide people to other agencies that can offer support. We spend time engaging and trying to make day-to-day life easier for those on the streets.

Most importantly, we offer face-to-face confidential support without judgment. We are a face that cares.

In other parts of the UK we will work directly with local shelters and help promote the invaluable work they do.

As a group we provide online support to each other.

How does being homeless impact on a person’s mental health?

Hugely. Many homeless people are struggling with low self-esteem. Their confidence and morale have completely dipped. Some people have such low self-worth, and are so lonely, that they resort to self harming, including substance misuse. In worse case scenarios, some people have suicidal thoughts.

Physical health can also deteriorate rapidly when people are sleeping rough. If they are not eating regularly they can experience malnutrition, and, inevitably, they tolerate a deterioration in their personal hygiene.

If people don’t receive the support they need, what can happen to them?

Health can deteriorate rapidly, with the result that homeless people have a lower life expectancy.

They are also far more likely to commit crime. Due to their circumstances they may lack self control, and they may become addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Homeless people are still entitled to claim benefits using the Simple Payment card. However, in reality not everyone receives all the benefits that they are entitled to.

I know you want to grow your group – what are your main aims?

We would really like to register Helping our Homeless formally as a charity – we are working with PAVO development workers to progress this. The next step would be to expand the group, so we will raise awareness of our activities as much as we can with the aim of recruiting more volunteers. Bigger, more permanent premises, with sufficient storage space would be an added bonus!

If people are interested in volunteering for the group, what roles are available (alternatively, what skills do you need)?

Roles that we currently have available include:

• Collecting donations.
• Sorting the donations that come to us.
• Advertising.
• Distributing.
• Fundraising.
• Promoting the cause.

Do get in touch if you are interested! Contact details below.

Which other organisations do you work closely with, either locally in Powys, or in the rest of the UK, to provide support to people?

Quite a few, mainly in Wales. In Swansea these include Unity Group Wales, the Unum Project and Zac’s Place. In Llandrindod Wells – Mid Powys Mind, the local food bank, and the Herb Garden Community Café.

We also engage with lots of online shelters and organisations.

What are the main challenges of the role?

The big one - not being able to commit as much time as we would like. And feeling so far away as we are remotely based.

On a very practical level, we currently lack long-term storage, and vehicles – we would love a van.

We also have to deal with our own mental challenges as we carry out the work.

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at Helping our Homeless so far.

Our top 8 most rewarding aspects so far:

1. Provided shelter to many rough sleepers.
2. Food and drinks.
3. Medical aid.
4. Support and advice.
5. Support to other shelters.
6. Time with the street homeless.
7. Making our street homeless feel wanted.
8. Learning about the street homeless and building relationships.

When you are not volunteering how do you enjoy spending your time?

We all work full time, so we juggle working with volunteering. Some of our hobbies include bowls, football, pool, art and craft work. And we spend time with our families of course!

Many thanks to Sarah and the rest of the team at Helping our Homeless for telling us more about their work in Mid and South Wales in particular.

If you want to find out more or get involved you can contact Sarah by ringing 07775 851 718 or send a message on the Helping our Homeless Facebook page.

On the BBC website this week two articles feature Homelessness:

Rough sleeping 2018: Violence and loneliness

From a home and job to sleeping rough