Involve Christmas 2011

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INVOLVEOn a musical pathto a new life

MEET JON

Make your new year’s resolution to support Two Saints

CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS

Launching our new social enterprise lettings agency

HOME SWEET HOME

Inspirational stories from our clients

CASE STUDIES

Involve magazine scoops gold award

WE’RE WINNERS!

December 2011

WELCOME

Welcome to the Christmas edition of INVOLVE! Winter is the time ofyear when being without a home gets particularly tough and the numbers coming to Two Saints’ hostels for emergency accommodation tend to rise.

Louise Barnden

Thankfully it is also the time when people in the community come forward with donations and offer to volunteer in our services. Volunteers can bring an enormous range of skills to Two Saints, helping run our services and opening up new interests for our clients. We offer good quality training and support to volunteers, meaning that they gain from working with us too; indeed two people who have volunteered at our Head Office in the past year have gone on to secure full time jobs after redundancy or a career break. It’s a genuine win-win situation! We’d like to hear from anyone who is interested in volunteering in any of our services.

We need these resources more than ever - there is considerable change on the horizon as we head towards 2012. Times are tough for organisations like Two Saints; we are striving to maintain the levels and quality of our services whilst absorbing the significant savings required of us by local authorities.

Two Saints’ Board and staff are determined to keep our focus on supporting and training our staff well and keeping abreast of good practice, so that we can offer support to clients that really helps them make a difference in their lives. We aim to help people tackle the issues which have led to them becoming homeless, and then to help them keep a stable home. In this way we can prevent further homelessness. It sounds simple doesn’t it? But we do need the resources to deliver good services, and donations and volunteering efforts from local communities and businesses really can ‘add value’ to what we do.

Chief Executive

— Louise Barnden Chief Executive

To support Two Saints – either as a fundraiser, by making a donation or volunteering your time please call us on 01329 234600 or visit our website www.twosaints.org.uk for more ideas of how you can get involved and make a difference.

Contents03 Our latest news

04 A helping hand to find a home

05 Our new social lettings enterprise

06 Day in the life of a floating support worker

07 Christmas present ideas that mean twice as much

08 Music therapy

09/10 Inspirational case studies

11 Corporate support

NEWS

Page 03 / News Involve Two Saints

Latest research backs our approachWe tailor the support we provide to ensure that all our clients – whatever their reasons for ending up homeless - have the best opportunity to start a new life.

New research published by the government has shown how the complex psychological and emotional

needs of people effected by homelessness need to be addressed, and the findings back up the work that we currently do at Two Saints. Keeping up to date with research and reacting to the latest findings by government is just one way that we ensure our services, accommodation and staff training remain at

the cutting edge. We also actively involve clients in shaping our policies and follow good practice and recommendations made by others working in our field.

With 435 rooms at more than 25 locations, we know the importance of caring for the environment and we have a full sustainability policy to ensure that whenever we source building materials, we do so in a responsible way. Our hostel at Dene Court in Andover has benefited from new vinyl floor coverings which were sourced for their green credentials of being 100% recyclable, as well as being practical, durable and cost effective.

Thinking ‘green’

Jon Cox Head of Business Development for Two Saints says

“It may seem obvious, but the bestpossible support equals the bestpossible outcomes, and we arealways looking for ways to deliverthe very best”.

Sustainability

Lots of our clients have told us that overdoses, epileptic fits and alcohol withdrawal are medical dramas they have personally witnessed in the past, but felt powerless to help.

Equipping more homeless people with the skills to deal with these situations is important, and so recently we asked the British Red

Cross to run a first aid training session. The course enabled clients to learn some practical skills to increase their confidence and willingness to help in a real life medical emergency.

Everyone involved declared it a huge success and really relevant. We hope to roll out the training to more of our clients.

First aid training

NEWS Involve Magazine has recently scooped a major PR award from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations PRIDE awards. Two Saints would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our magazine – we hope you enjoy reading our award winning publication!

Involve scoops gold

Paul Dearing Two Saints’ Technical Services Manager says

As an organisation,Two Saints now have a full sustainability policy,which is working tominimise our impact onthe environment”

Page 04 / A helping hand to find home sweet home Involve Two Saints

A helping hand to findhome sweet home

Two Saints: more than just a bed for the night

Yes we offer clean sheets and good food, but we want to really improve the lives of the people who come to us - not just for one night - but for years ahead. We’re committed to providing support and help to all of our clients to ensure that when they leave us they are headed on the right path for a positive future.

We work with more than 3000 people every year who all have their own personal issues to overcome and who need individual help and support to get back on their feet again. That’s why our key workers get to know each and every one of our clients to help them to find a way forward to rebuild their lives. They provide support to help clients beat addictions, learn new skills and qualifications, regain self confidence, find a job, manage budgets, make new friends and ultimately settle into a home of their own and embark on an independent life.

make home visits to around 1600 vulnerable people each year to prevent them ending up on the streets. They also check that people who have left our accommodation are doing well living on their own.

in Gosport works with reputable local landlords who can offer extra support to young homeless people aged between 16 and 25.

in Fareham and Gosport provides council flats for clients to live in whilst receiving ongoing support from us. After 12 months we ask the council to sign the rental agreement over to the tenant in order for them to enjoy living independently.

Working with people who are homeless is about so much more than simply providing a bed for the night and a hot meal.

Our Floating Support team

Our Supported Lodgings service

Our sublet scheme

We want to really improve the lives of the people who come to us - not just for one night - but for years ahead.

In Gosport, we work with young people aged 16-25 - which is a particularly vulnerable age to find yourself homeless. Around 25% of all people who have become homeless is a result of being thrown out of the family home, and they are ill equipped to deal with finding a home and paying rent and bills. It’s a tough start to life but we are here to support them every step of the way”.

— Georgina ShaneService Manager for Gosport and Fareham

Go to page 6 for more details.

We’ve launched Real Lettings South in partnership with homeless charity Broadway. It’s a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise lettings agency that aims to offer good quality homes for our clients and peace of mind for landlords.

We want to lease 150 studio and one bedroom properties over the next two years. We’ll lease the homes on long contracts, provide a guaranteed monthly rent for the landlord and an assurance that the property will be returned in the same condition. We’ll deal with all rent and tenancy issues and make sure our tenants receive ongoing support to help them settle in and maintain their independence in their new home.

The scheme is supported by TV property expert Phil Spencer, who says

House hunting“This is a really exciting scheme. The Real Lettings service is good news for landlords and it will help more former homeless people to get back on their feet again in a home where they feel safe and secure.”

“The beauty of Real Lettings is that it helps homeless people find a long term place to live and also makes sense for landlords and investors from a commercial point of view.”

— Phil SpencerTV property expert

— Dominic ThompsonReal Lettings South Manager

We aim to build confidence and develop skills amongst all of our clients, but finding a decent home for them when they are ready to leave us is just as important. Unfortunately good quality, affordable move-on accommodation is in short supply.

Many landlords are unwilling to let their properties to former rough sleepers. They claim they’re worried about damage, anti-social behaviour and non payment of rent.

Equally, our clients have their own concerns about unscrupulous landlords renting sub-standard accommodation who may throw them out at any time. It’s an important issue that we’ve been working hard to tackle, and as a result we’ve launched a new scheme that will deliver benefits for both landlords and tenants.

Real Lettings South :a lettings agency with a difference!

If you’re a developer, landlord or property owner inSouthampton, Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Havant or Newbury and fancy the idea of a hassle free letting with guaranteed rent, get in touch with Dominic Thompson on 07714 181894, email [email protected] or visit the website www.reallettings.com

Page 05 / House Hunting Involve Two Saints

Floating Support - a day in the life of a Key WorkerAs well as providing accommodation and support for people without a roof over their heads, at Two Saints we also work hard to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. Our ‘Floating Support’ service helps more than 1600 vulnerable people to remain living independently at home. Without our support and help, our clients may otherwise end up on the streets. The service is run by dedicated Support Workers who cover Andover and Test Valley, Basingstoke, Newbury, The New Forest and Southampton.

Page 06 / Jo Edwards Involve Two Saints

“I look after around 20 people at any one time and the support I provide each one will vary greatly depending on each situation.

“Although it’s a hugely rewarding job and it’s brilliantto see people like Jenny and Bill move forward, it canalso be very challenging. It’s hard to see people onthe brink of eviction, but we’re here to work with themand help them keep their own home.”

“One of my clients called Jenny* had a difficult background and moved to Andover to make a fresh start. She has mild learning difficulties and is a diagnosed agoraphobic, which means she can’t go out alone and experiences panic attacks in unfamiliar surroundings or new routines. Jenny needs extra support to live on her own so I pop in regularly to help her with lots of different things from sorting her benefit claims, to dealing with property issues and paying utility bills. I’ll be working with Jenny for a total of two years. During this time I’ll help her connect with various support groups so that when my time with her is finished, she’ll still be able to enjoy living independently and safely in her own home.

“I also work with Bill*, whose life fell apart when his wife died. He lost his home and had to move into a private flat but simply couldn’t cope. His wife had always run the house and sorted the bills and he just didn’t know what to do or how to look after himself after she had gone. However he’s started again at the age of 64 and thanks to our support he got through it and he’s now maintaining his home independently.”

*names have been changed.

Jo Edwards is one of three Key Workerswhocover Test Valley. She tells us a bit moreabout her job.

For more information call — 01329 234600visit — www.twosaints.org.uk

The event was organised by students at Portsmouth Football Academy and aimed to help our clients enjoy physical activity, develop team spirit, have fun and build self confidence.

Despite being beaten in the final by staff members Nick O’Neill and Becky Flynn, Terry Martin and Mark Harding (who are both residents at Acton Lodge in Portsmouth) declared the tournament a huge success.

“It was a great day andwould be great to see morelike it. I really enjoyed taking part and will definitely keepplaying badminton” said Terry.

Becky Flynn from Two Saints says

“Sport is such a great wayto boost self esteem andwe’ve found that physicalexercise definitely helps ourclients to feel good aboutthemselves”.

Footballl star Linvoy, who presented the certificates and medals said

“The tournament wasprofessionally well run andeverybody who took parthad smiles on their faces.Well done to all.”

Visit SPARK to see our wide range of individual metalwork and bespoke garden products to pick up a unique Christmas present, whilst helping the homeless.

We’re open— Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday until 4pm Saturday 9am until 1pm

361 Millbrook Road West Southampton SO15 0HW(behind Patrick House hostel).

Portsmouth Football Club ambassador and ex-player Linvoy Primus was among the first to congratulate Two Saints’ clients and staff who competed in a recent badminton tournament.

A winning team

Page 07 / A winning team Involve Two Saints

Give a gift that means twice as much.

Picture framing service also available.

Contact us on 02380 788375or online at www.sparkfabricationsandframing.co.uk

Jon arrived at Patrick House two years ago when his relationship with his family broke down as a result of drug and alcohol misuse. During this time we’ve provided support to help Jon beat his addictions and turn a corner in his life. The regular music sessions have reignited Jon’s passion for playing instruments (he holds several musical qualifications from school and college). As a result he’s now feeling confident about himself and his future, and is about to start a work placement with a local music company that could signal the start of a new career in the music industry.

“The new music room is a really good idea as wheneveryone is in there theatmosphere is amazing.Everyone is chilling outand having a jam session. The guys who come downand run the music sessionsare genuinely nice to bearound, they’re good teachers and listeners” says Jon.

The weekly music sessions are run by local music company SoCo. They offer residents the chance to learn how to play instruments including keyboards, guitars and bongos and are encouraging everyone involved to play

songs together as a band. Residents can also learn how to put music on the computer and jam using an iPad!

The musical experience is proving very popular with residents at the hostel and has had a marked impact on helping those involved to feel good about themselves in order to look forward to a new, independent life that doesn’t involve homelessness.

Page 08 / Jon Roberts Involve Two Saints

MusicaltherapyJon Roberts, a resident at Patrick House Hostel in Southampton, is finding that the power of music is helping him on the road to a new life. He’s just one of the residents who enjoy jamming in weekly sessions held in the music room there.

A former rough sleeper and drug addict, Jason Marshall, is now using his experiences to help others overcome their problems and addictions. Thanks to our help and support he is looking forward to a bright future ahead and has ambitions to become a counsellor.

“As a young person I had adysfunctional family life andfell in with the wrong crowd.I just felt desperate to besomeone else. I ended uptaking drugs and was in andout of prison. As a result Ilost my four kids and sunkto the depths of despair.’

Jason Marshall

“When I got out of prison, I walked in and out of rehab and ended up in Portsmouth where I became homeless. Eventually I checked into Two Saints’ Mill House Hostel where staff helped me to build my confidence and beat my addictions. At first I never came out of my room. I felt vulnerable, worthless and isolated, and thought everybody else was better off than me. However over time staff and other residents helped me see that others had felt the same. Now I’m a changed person. I’m confident and can cope much better with situations. Taking drugs had made me forget how to have real feelings and cope with emotions like sadness. I just ended up having panic attacks. But now I’m clean I’ve learnt how to deal with situations responsibly.

“My experiences have all made me who I am today. Thanks to the support from Two Saints I realise I can be proactive in my own life

and can make a difference to others. I’ve rebuilt my relationship with my children and am studying biomedical science. I volunteer as a paramedic for the Red Cross and at St Rowans Hospice, and I’m using my experiences to help at a local substance misuse support group. It’s as if life has thrown me an opportunity and told me ‘you’re meant to do this’.

“The support I received from Two Saints is immeasurable. It’s been fundamental to who I am now and who I want to be, because it’s allowed me to reinvent myself. I’ll be forever grateful to Two Saints and Portsmouth, I have nothing but fond memories of them. I’ll always take Portsmouth with me wherever I go. I even follow the football team now!”

My experienceshave all made mewho I am today.Thanks to thesupport from TwoSaints I realise I canbe proactive in myown life and canmake a difference to others.

Page 09 / Jason Marshall Involve Two Saints

“Having gone through what I did was destiny,because now I can helpothers through myexperiences”

— Jason Marshall

Volunteering – a great start to a new lifeCatherine Russell has been a resident at our hostel in Newbury for the last two years. She arrived with an alcohol problem that had not only cost her her family, home and job, but had almost killed her.

However, she’s found that volunteering at The Base within the hostel has been a great way to get her life back on a positive track. She now spends the majority of her time supporting and helping other residents to do the same.

“The Base is a place forresidents to use computersand learn new skills. I started volunteering soit could open for longerperiods. Eventually I wasgiven the responsibility to hold the keys and ultimatelyto manage The Base, andthanks to a team of othervolunteers it’s now openevery day from 8am to10pm.

“Focusing on managing The Base has replaced alcohol as the most important thing in my life. I’m kept busy and occupied all day every day.

“I’ve got responsibilities and a new sense of purpose, and it’s helped me to become completely dry.

“Before I ended up homeless I used to have a high powered job in recruitment, so I’m using my skills and experiences to help other residents search for work, write CVs and apply for jobs. I worked in IT for many years and so I can help people to use the computers to do their college coursework or apply for courses, send emails and use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends.

“The Base is such an important part of the hostel and the facilities really benefit all the residents here, I’m just glad I’m able to help make a difference. Volunteering has definitely had a huge impact on my life. It’s given me the confidence and self belief that I don’t need alcohol to survive the day and I can do something worthwhile with my future. Ultimately I want to move into my own place and get a paid job with Two Saints so that I can continue working with other homeless people and support them to change their lives for the better.”

— Catherine Russell with Dean Higgins, Learning Services and Volunteer Manager

Catherine helped organise an open day in September to show the facilities in The Base to local dignitaries and residents’ family and friends.

Page 10 / Catherine Russell Involve Two Saints

Page 11 / Support us Involve Two Saints

Supporting Two Saints to improve the lives of people affected by homelessness is not just a nice thing to do, it makes good business sense.

Supporting usmakes goodbusiness sense

How can you support us?

Sainsbury’s kindly donate food with a short shelf life to our Southampton Day Centre and Patrick House Hostel every week. The food, which would otherwise have ended up in the bin, means that our catering costs are reduced and that we can spend this money on other worthwhile projects.

Staff from the Southampton and Portsmouth branches of Clydesdale Bank recently spent a day out of the office to lend a hand at Patrick House Hostel in Southampton. They got involved with decorating and gardening jobs to help us reduce our maintenance bills and target resources into other areas. As well as benefiting Two Saints the day, organised by Business in the Community, proved a great team building exercise as John Anderson, Managing Partner from Clydesdale Bank, explains

• Name us as your chosen charity of the year.• Organise a sponsored event.• Make a donation (of time, resources, equipment or money).

Get in touch today on 01329 234600 to discuss how your organisation can support Two Saints.

“It enabled the staff to witness how less fortunatepeople live, who without Two Saints and volunteerswould have nothing! At the same time it was greatto learn more about each other as people and theexperience positively influenced morale, motivationand effectiveness as a team.”

It’s a way to help your business grow whilst improving the local community; something to impress your customers, staff, suppliers and shareholders – and gain you positive media coverage. And did you know that gifts to charities like Two Saints attract tax relief?

Each homeless person costs the tax payer over £26,000 per year, making our work to help get people off the streets, earning a wage and contributing to society, more important than ever before. But we couldn’t help so many vulnerable and homeless people to transform their lives without corporate support from local businesses. Two household names who regularly get involved with Two Saints are Sainsbury’s and Clydesdale Bank.

A tasty way to help

Planting the seeds of success

No one should ever feel isolated, alone and forgotten, especially at Christmas. Make your new year’s resolution to help someone you may have never met - you could change a life, forever.

www.twosaints.org.uk

Page 12 / Can we help you? / Can you help us? Involve Two Saints

Have you seen the new Two Saints website?You will find useful contacts, real life inspirational stories as well as a host of ideas to help us beat homelessness. You can even follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube!

To support Two Saints – either as a fundraiser, by making a donation or volunteering your time, please call us on 01329 234600 or visit our website www.twosaints.org.uk for more ideas of how you can get involved and make a difference.