1. Winchester Trinity Centre Winchester Locality – Group 3 Naomi James, James Douglass, Abigail Miller, Fay Wiseman, Natalie Richardson, Sarah Arbery, Jill Kershaw, Chloe Atkins Helping Homelessness in Winchester

2. Trinity Centre Our Vision To improve the lives and promote positive, long-term changes for people affected by homelessness and social isolation in Hampshire.

3. Our work devoted to helping people in our community. homeless and vulnerably housed in Hampshire drop-in day service in Winchester and our Women’s Service. Our aim… is to promote positive fulfilling lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and long-term changes for those experiencing the effects of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, poverty, domestic violence, unemployment and social isolation. We support service users to identify and take positive steps towards change as individuals and as part of the wider community. This is achieved this by working with service users to deliver tailored interventions through our drop-in, learning, healthcare, floating support and outreach services.

4. Why is this project needed? assumption that Winchester is an affluent area Increasing number of homeless people in Winchester, lack of accessible services Acts as a stepping stone helping the patient in a physical sense, socially, health wise and other supportive services

5. Statistics Winchester is an affluent area – their health is overall better than the England average Increasing homeless population in 2009 – 4 homeless people, 2011 – 20 Trinity Centre – charitable organisation for homeless and vulnerably housed – currently at maximum capacity

6. What policies have impacted on the development of this project? The National Policy Framework in England has shown the Government showing a significant approach to preventing and tackling homelessness. A wider approach has been aimed at, not just to those sleeping rough, but also the causing factors of homelessness. This approach has included the following policies: The 2002 Homelessness Act Sustainable communities: settled homes; changing lives (2005) Other relevant policies: – Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation (DH 1999) – More than a Roof: A Report into Tackling Homelessness (2003) – The Supporting People Initiative (2003) – Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review (UCL 2010) – Inclusion Health improving primary care for socially excluded people (DH 2010) – Vision to End Rough Sleeping: No Second Night Out Nationwide (DCLG 2011)

7. Provision of Services at Bradbury House, a Drop in Centre for the Homeless and Vulnerably Housed.

8. Reading/relaxation roomArt room Children’s play roomGarden/Veg patch

9. Medical Services -Local surgery provide clinical services -General Practitioner Monday and Thursday -Nurse prescriber on Friday -High transitory population – Frequent new user health assessments -No appointments necessary -Tracking of medications very important -Vaccinations and vitamin injections given -Common Conditions -Respiratory problems -Injuries from fights -Chest infections -Abscesses from needle sights -Overdoses from bad batches -Cardiac emergencies

10. Substance Misuse Advisor Gives advice on site management, equipment and prescriptions. Needle exchange program- once a week, Monday pm Staff can test for Hepatitis B with spot tests. Clients can also pick up needles from chemists. Linked with Spencer House (which provides substance misuse advice to the general population) Which has approximately 300 clients in Winchester and provides counselling and acupuncture. Pressure on services because of the amalgamation of the Alcohol and Drug misuse services with no increase in staffing. A mobile camper van that provided services in rural communities is now rarely used because of staffing issues

11. Winchester Churches Nightshelter “Offering hope and help for the homeless” The ‘Winchester Churches Nightshelter’ was ‘born’ in 1988 when it became apparent that a growing number of people in the Winchester area were becoming homeless and had no alternative but to sleep rough. In response to this need, the Winchester Churches Housing Group, an organisation set up by a number of churches in Winchester working together. In 1996 a building deemed suitable for a permanent Nightshelter, belonging to Hampshire County Council, was identified and following major redevelopment the new and permanent home of the WCNS was finally opened on 9 June 1997.

12. Relieving the suffering caused by homelessness. WCNS offer a bed with clean fresh sheets, a bath, toiletries, clothes washing facilities, good wholesome meals, a safe, comfortable environment, and support and guidance from the outreach support workers and WCNS staff. WCNS have 15 beds at present. 12 beds are supported by ‘Supporting People’ and enable guests to link closely to the Floating Support outreach workers and seek more permanent move-on accommodation. Our 3 ‘Crash beds’ allow guests to stay for up to 14 days and gain as much support as possible during that time from our Floating Support workers and WCNS staff. Both direct and agency referrals are accepted at the shelter.

13. The shelter is open every day throughout the year. Guests arrive at the earliest at 6.00pm each night and are required to leave the Shelter by 8.30am each morning. The shelter wouldn’t survive without it’s team of volunteers. Approximately 30% of the shelters income is from personal donations. The rate of guests moving on into long-term accommodation has slowed. Shelter’s report suggests that 45% of sheltered bed spaces in England are occupied by people who are waiting to move on into more permanent accommodation. Over 50% of the shelter residents then go on to use the Trinity centre facilities in the daytime. An essential life-line.

14. Plans for the future… to provide the best outreach and internal support that we can during our guests’ short or longer stay, & to those we have to turn away. to look at ways we can expand our help to guests in developing their life skills whilst at WCNS. to help guests move on more quickly to appropriate long-term accommodation. to build stronger links with other complementary charities and homelessness organizations, helping to join up homelessness services. to reach out more widely, highlighting the services at WCNS to ensure more of those in need know where to come, and what we can offer.

15. Winchester City Council provides a Housing Advice service for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness along with those who are seeking housing advice with regards to alternative housing options. The Housing Advice service is designed to provide information for people in housing need so that they are able to make informed decisions regarding their housing options. Provision of Housing Directory of Services. Hampshire Home Choice.

16. Targets Respond to all service users facing an urgent housing support issue on the day. Respond to all non urgent approaches for assistance and support within 3 working days. We will work with you to develop a support plan within 7 working days of admission to temporary accommodation. We will ensure any other identified agency support is in place within 28 days. Answer all telephone calls within 3 rings. Respond to letters, faxes and e-mails within 10 working days, or give an explanation for any delay and an indication of when the query will be resolved.

17. Critique: Well integrated in local community A holistic service Provides better healthcare access – removing barriers Deals with ‘upstream’ issues, although is essence a ‘downstream’ initiative Limited space due to limited funding The homelessness team, although helpful, are limited in what physical help and provision they can enable. Demand severely outweighs provision. There is currently a four year waiting list for 1 bedroom properties. More guidance than action.

18. …cont. Evaluated and monitored by: Board of Trustees Clients So?... More responsive to local need but doesn’t have to operate within government frameworks

19. Challenges: Small NGO Funding Changes to benefits The ‘hidden’ homeless of Winchester Ex-offenders

20. Conclusion: Invaluable service to the community Hard to determine the need for provision due to differing figures on the amount of homeless people Such an effective service that it attracts service users in to the area from other areas around the South of England Provides a holistic approach to provision service Liable to suffer due to instability of the economy

21. References Department for Communities and Local Government (2003) ‘More Than a Roof: a report into tackling homelessness.’ Available online at: www.communities.gov.uk Accessed: 27/06/2012 www.communities.gov.uk Shelter. ‘Welfare Reform Bill 2011/12 Briefing for Lords Report stage’. Available online at: http://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_and_practice /policy_library/policy_library_folder/briefing_welfare_reform_bill_- _lords_report_stage Accessed 27/06/2012 http://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_and_practice /policy_library/policy_library_folder/briefing_welfare_reform_bill_- _lords_report_stage Antonovsky, A. (1972) Breakdown: a needed fourth step in the aramentarium of modern medicine. Social Science and Medicine, 6, 537 – 544 Croft-White, C. and Parry-Crooke, G. (2004) ‘Hidden Homelessness. Lost Voices: The invisibility of homeless people with multiple needs.’ Crisis, London. Niven, S. and Stewart, D. (2005) ‘Resettlement Outcomes on Release from Prison in 2003. Home Office Research Findings 248’. London, Home Office.