SupportActionNet Awards 2007 Shortlist English Churches Housing Group: Reflections Brinsford Prison and Youth Offenders Institute, Safeguarding Department Cardboard Citizens LQ Supported Living Rainbow Project Mancheser Methodist Housing Association (Part of Great Places Housing Group) NACRO and Homelessness Prevention Mediation Service Novas Group - Action Works! Open Doors Creative Drop-In (City and Hackney PCT) Rodney Housing Division (Liverpool Housing Trust) SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) Sing Your Heart Out Stonham Supported Lodgings Storybook Dad

SupportActionNet Awards 2007 Highly commended – Large provider category Stonham Supported Lodgings Brinsford Prison and Young Offenders Institute

Stonham Supported Lodgings Stonham Supported Lodgings transforms the life chances of young people aged 16 to 25 by accessing accommodation provided by the general public within their own home with support and training from the supported lodgings team. The project reports how young people develop a sense of self-worth and a positive sense of identity: “Sometimes when we first meet a client they hang their head low and barely communicate, but after a few months of being nurtured, believed in and having the space and support to develop their life chances are transformed”.

Brinsford Prison and Young Offenders Institute The Brinsford Safeguarding Department comprises a multi-agency team that provides support and assistance to up 470 prisoners between the ages of 15 and 21. The judges commended this entry for its success in addressing the issue of bullying and acts of violence in a setting and with a client group, whereby the norm is to be seen as ‘tough’. The judges agreed that the Safeguarding Team at Brinsford deserve recognition for their work as they develop a positive environment within which they protect the welfare and safety of young people, some of whom lead chaotic and damaged lives in the community, and strive to help them turn their lives around and take responsibility for their actions.

SupportActionNet Awards 2007 Highly commended – Small provider category Cardboard Citizens Sing Your Heart Out

Cardboard Citizens Cardboard Citizens is the UK’s only homeless people’s professional theatre company. The company uses performing arts workshops to engage with homeless people and offer opportunities to get involved. The judges were particularly impressed by the powerful message conveyed by the performances, which those who have been homeless could identify with, and how effective this medium is to demonstrate the alternative choices that both professionals and participants alike have to bring about positive outcomes.

Sing Your Heart Out Sing Your Heart Out is a series of singing workshops designed to bring vulnerable people - primarily those with mental health issues - together to enjoy the proven clinical benefits and sustained positive effects of organised vocal exercise and group singing. Guided by a professional teacher, participants enrol onto a programme of sessions that promote positive relationships between service users, carers and the healthcare professionals and with the wider community. The judges felt that this entry should be commended for its track record of success in returning some 600 vulnerable mental health problem sufferers who had not found success in traditional therapies, to balanced and socially inclusive lives.

SupportActionNet Awards 2007 Winner – Large provider category Open Door Creative Drop-In

Open Doors is a sexual health outreach and clinical service that provides an array of health and social welfare services for women who sell sex from the streets of Hackney, London. The project reports how the women’s sense of well being is dramatically increased: “Women who came to the Drop-In unable to look at themselves in the mirror are able within a very few sessions to look at themselves and their work with immense joy, confidence and satisfaction”. The women have been able to re-build relationships with their families and those who come into contact with them through strategic gift giving of art work which they have created within the project. The judges were particularly impressed with the innovative ideas to enhance the women’s sense of self worth.

SupportActionNet Awards 2007 Winner – Small provider category Storybook Dad

Storybook Dad is an organisation that operates from Dartmoor prison enabling prisoners to record stories on a CD to be sent to their children. The judges were particularly impressed by the range of benefits brought about by the activity: Improving literacy and IT skills of the fathers in prison The tangible evidence that the child has that their father cares The opportunity to learn editing skills for some prisoners Access to peer support through shared experiences Feeling of inclusion by prisoners Editors of tape feeling proud to be able to assist in producing the CDs Improved relationship between parents as the mothers see the effort for the child A reduction in re-offending on release