Helping individuals get their lives back on track
A partnership project is successfully helping a range of individuals, including former prisoners, to get their lives back on track.
Involving the Vale and City of Cardiff Councils, Newydd Housing Association and homelessness charity The Wallich, ‘’Croes Ffin" is providing accommodation and support for the homeless or potentially homeless, and individuals leaving prison and/or treatment centres.
The project provides accommodation in both the Vale and Cardiff and is being overseen by The Wallich, a charity working with homeless and vulnerable people. Within the Vale, there are 15 self-contained flats over two sites provided by Newydd.
Detailed assessments are undertaken, and suitable housing and support packages identified, and Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, Vale cabinet member for housing, said: "Having the accommodation spread across the Vale and Cardiff helps place the individuals away from any peer pressure when they are at their most vulnerable. They will return to their original local authority area at the end of the period."
People are only accepted on the project as long as they are no longer misusing substances and, if they suffer a relapse, they have to leave the accommodation.
Cllr Wilkinson added: "The support builds on the rehabilitation and specialist advice and assistance people have already received to help them improve their quality of life and integrate into the community.
"It focuses on resettlement work, assistance to get on training courses, and to find employment and appropriate permanent accommodation."
Although the project has only been running for just over six months, there have been some marked successes where individuals have been supported on a range of issues covering mental health, education, relapse prevention, offending behaviour, budgeting and benefits:
• Client 1 was a heroin user for 10 years and had a history of street homelessness when accepted. In August, he completed a personal development plan and was offered a two-bedroom flat. He is now in full time education, maintaining his tenancy and in a stable relationship. A daily gym user, he has also been nominated for a changing lives award.
• Homeless for approximately 25 years, Client 2 was alcohol dependent and on daily methadone. Now a keen gardener with an allotment, he is goalkeeper for the Croes Ffin street soccer team. He has just successfully completed his personal development plan and, having been awarded his gold card by the local authority, is looking towards gaining his own tenancy.
• Client 3, who was referred to Croes Ffin by Inroads in July 2006, after being street homeless for six years, is now studying at Barry College. He is on an Access to Humanities course and is applying for the MILE programme with Newlink Wales. Having finally stabilised a chaotic lifestyle, he is looking to live independently. Since being with the project, he has managed to save enough money to visit his daughter abroad. He also plays for the Croes Ffin street soccer team and, receiving lessons, is becoming an increasingly competent guitar player.
• Referred to Croes Ffin by The Wallich Nightshelter in Cardiff in November last year, Client 4 completed a personal development plan in June and was awarded a one-bedroom flat by Newydd. He was also offered floating support by another agency but felt he had the necessary skills to sustain the tenancy.
If you would like more information about the project, please contact the Supporting People Team at the Vale of Glamorgan Council on (01446) 709793 or email SupportingPeople@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.