Eslington House Sports Academy The Cyrenians September 2013

Eslington House Sports Academy The Cyrenians September 2013 We support people in need by helping them make sustainable, positive change in their lives

The Cyrenians: Who We Are • Regional charity delivering services in the areas of: • Accommodation / Day Centre & Outreach • Addictions and Recovery / Offending • Employment and Training • In 2013 we worked with an average of 1, 361 clients: • 86, 996 beds per annum • 792 people with addictions support • 277 people with support to stay in their own homes • 168 people with employment and skills training • Turnover of £ 9 m in 2013 employing 248 staff, of which 1 in 3 are ex-clients • A regional charity with a national voice – helping people change lives and build futures

Who’s Homeless?

Eslington House - Overview • Eslington House provides temporary accommodation and support for single homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25. It provides a safe, secure and supportive living environment that is staffed 24 hours a day • We have 6 under 18 placements • Applicants are from leaving care, foster care, non payments of benefits, and referral due to homelessness • The project helps residents to gain life skills, access training and education opportunities, and to provide support to live independently

The Referral Process STEP 1: Applicants represent themselves at the homeless Section at Gateshead Council STEP 2: Referrals are made via the portal system, through Gateshead Council STEP 3: Eslington receives their application form and the client is then contacted for an informal interview. Occasionally referrals are received directly from the police or other statutory agencies STEP 4: Clients become residents, signing a Licence Agreement and living in shared occupancy accommodation

Values and Ethos • To make sure that everyone can live happily and safely together, there are rights and responsibilities which everyone must follow. These rights and responsibilities are explained at induction and residents are asked for their input on what rights and responsibilities they think should be in place. • We help residents to: – To achieve their goals – To receive support with their problems and to work with them to find solutions – To advise and represent them, if and when they need us • We will always protect clients from abuse, discrimination and harassment

Values and Ethos cont. • We work in partnership with Redhaugh Boys Club and Gateshead Council in a sport-led environment • We work closely with outside agencies such as the Job Centre. They aim to bridge the gap between the Job Centre and residents. • ‘Someone Cares’ also provide a counselling session in the project weekly. • Dryden Centre provides training opportunities • Since January 2013 we have had 127 referrals, 27 admissions, and 16 positive move ons • 10 residents have lost their tenancy • 2 have gained full time employment through The Cyrenians’ Employability Team

Issues and Improvements • Conclusion – Positive move-on’s are key; we know what the challenges are (welfare reform, bedroom tax) but we also understand the importance of partnerships and leveraging additional resources • Issues – In the short-term we expect to see: – More people being made homeless – The potential ‘silting-up’ of hostels as lack of 1 bed accommodation makes it hard for single homeless clients to move on – More clients presenting with multiple needs – homelessness and addictions, for example • Improvements – Specialist advice suitable for homelessness professionals – Tailored benefits and welfare information for professionals in associated areas i. e. addictions work

For further information please contact: Kim Andrews Project Manager Rhiannon Bearne Group Assistant Director t: e: e: 0191 273 8891 K. Andrews@tcuk. org R. Bearne@tcuk. org