Brief History
Client A’s first contact with York Road Project was on the 28.04.2015. He was released from prison, who liaised with staff to make sure we had a bed and booked into a bed at the Night Shelter. Client A had been in prison for several years and was anxious and nervous on arrival, staff on shift spent time with him helping him adjust to his new surroundings and provided him with a proper cooked dinner, a warm shower and a bedroom of his own for 21 days.
He had no benefits in place and was not registered with a GP.
We supported him to set up a benefit claim immediately and registered him with the local doctors. He was already diagnosed previously with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and had no medication for this. With the support of his outreach worker who attended the appointment with him, he was given medication and a follow up appointment to see how he was doing on the meds.
Support offered:
One to one session’s with outreach worker Help with applying for benefits and attending DWP appointments, tribunals and access to online claims
Accompanied to hospital and doctors’ appointments
Encouragement to engage with workshops run by day centre with his outreach worker Certificates in Food Hygiene, First Aid and Basic Cooking achieved
Assisted with budgeting when moving into our longer-term accommodation (up to two years)
Supported with paying rent on time and advice on dealing with debts
Assistance in dealing with correspondence and applications, such as post office accounts, change of address, photo ID
Accommodation:
Client A was very engaging in his time at the Night Shelter, he attended workshops, joined the YRP choir, met with his outreach worker for all scheduled appointments. Client A did not have alcohol or drug dependency’s but would use alcohol and drugs as an escape when he was feeling down. His outreach worker supported him to plan his days and get involved in activities to motivate him. This involved tenancy sustainment workshops, cooking workshops, joining in with the Choir and sport activities held at our Day Centre. His outreach worker helped him in recognising this and motivated Client A.
Client A was offered accommodation in one of our move on properties as he was unable to raise a deposit for private rented accommodation. It was also difficult to find local landlords who would accept him with Housing Benefit.
We supported him to get ID and register with the local Council to be put on the housing register.
Client A sustained in our Move on Properties for 5 years, he was then successfully housed by the local authority. He was ecstatic about this and very grateful.
YRP helped support the client with moving to his new accommodation, providing him with household items such as microwave, kettle toaster, washing machine and more. We are fortunate that we have local charities we can rely on to provide clients on low incomes with items to furnish their homes. Due to COVID 19 such services have been unable to open and we have relied on the generosity of the local community with supporting us to be able to buy much needed items for our clients.
Conclusion:
Client A has had a very successful journey with York Road Project and has been successfully housed to live independently. He has significantly reduced his drug and alcohol intake. He has built better relationships with his family which is really helping him be motivated.
He will be supported to set up his new home with basic furnishings and with setting up direct debits for bills.
Continuing from his support from YRP, he will have his support worker for the next three months to ensure he sustains his new tenancy.