Complex Personalities Network – 12 September 2017
Present: Victoria Aseervatham (WCC), John Conolly (CLCH), Marielle Vestland (Compass), Jacqui Buckley (Waterview), Laura Doe (St Mungos), Andrew Keck (Wytham hall), Sophie Dent, Belinda Neilsen (st Mungos), Filipa Dias (Inspired), Mirek Polanowski(CLCH), John Lynch (DAWS), Eric Laysell (Thames Reach), Paul Cokayne (St Mungos), Steve davies (st Mungos), Leo Richardson (Riverside), Lou Simonsen(Buddies), Jo Prestidge (homeless Link) Smahan Soussi (marylbone Project) Deborah Whittle (Marylebone Project).
Unusual beliefs Peer Support Group – Laura Doe
The group is now in it’s 6th year running. It was initially the ‘hearing voices’ group but unusual beliefs felt like a better fit. The venue has also changed: it was a library but the café environment works well. It’s a safe space to talk about experiences and there is a good core group and friendships have blossomed from the group. There is no referral process and no notes taken. The group is facilitated by two workers who have had facilitation training through Mind and the group is part of the ‘Hearing Voices Network’.
Jo suggested Laura does a blog for Homeless Link to publicise it further as the model is certainly replicable.
For more info contact Laura Doe <>
John reflected on the valuable ‘non labling’ and social aspects of the group. It has kept going so long as it works!
Body over mind – an alternative approach to trauma treatment – Sophie Dent
Sophie’s presentation highlighted the impact of early chronic stress on the body and how the body keeps score. She recommended some simple techniques that can be used to help promote the mind and body connection again:
Top of the list is Tipi- which anyone can do and is quick to learn - it’s a very natural simple way to self regulate difficult emotions:
https://tipi.pro/home/
Sophie has also trained in ‘Kinetic Chain Release’ - a gentle , non invasive technique, safe for all ages involving 20 minutes of stretching/realignment. She has been volunteering in a number of hostels with great effect and the sessions are very well received with people instantly feeling better. If you are interested in a pilot like this you can contact Sophie.
http://kineticchainrelease.com/
Housing First England - Jo Prestidge
Jo is the Housing First lead at Homeless Link. While Housing First can look like other things, the model is underpinned by principles and it’s fidelity to these 7 principles that have a compelling successful international evidence base. Attached with the minutes is the presentation Jo talked through.
The video she shares on twitter is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwdq2VWavtc
The Housing First England website is www.hfe.homeless.org.uk – people can sign up for the newsletter, see the guidance and research and a map of Housing First services.
Information about the Transatlantic Practice Exchange: http://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/national-projects/transatlantic-practice-exchange and Street Counts and Estimates: http://www.homeless.org.uk/connect/blogs/2017/aug/29/rough-sleeping-counts-and-estimates-%E2%80%93-your-questions-answered with links to the verifier training.
Problem Gambling
Gam Care are looking to provide free one to one and group support for vulnerable people involved in problem gambling in Westminster but they need free suitable venues. There is a partnerships meeting to explore this being held on 27 Sep 2017. Anyone with a potential venue should contact Victoria. GCS or Dellow Centre or churches were suggested.
Home For good Befriending Scheme
http://passage.org.uk/how-we-help/how-many-we-help/home-for-good/
Home For Good is a pan london befriending scheme. Local volunteers are matched with clients moving to the area. They take referrals from all homelessness organisations.
Updates and recommendations
The Waterview are involved in a research project gathering evidence on the efficacy of delivering brief 1:1 interventions (DBT, mindfulness and metalization skills) .
Home Straight - a great little charity than runs free fitness sessions twice a week for clients in Green Park on Mondays and Thursday at 11am, The group also attends the Hampstead Park run at weekends.
Groups are free and trips have been funded by the big lottery.
The group is mixed fitness ability and people are at various stages in their recovery, that said many people are a good way along that journey and I have seen it inspire others.
OPEN DAY 28th September 11am – please come along yourselves or support others to attend.
The group meets in the centre of Green Park where the paths all cross, there is large lamp post, it’s easy, the park isn’t that big.
Groups are led by Ian a highly qualified instructor, it runs for an hour and involves some stretching, short runs and for some walking goals. Jack who has been involved for years and has some major health problems has a goal to walk each session, others have trained for half marathons; it really is mixed ability.
Come along and join in, it won’t hurt (much) and will probably do you some good!
https://www.facebook.com/homestraightUK
http://homestraight.org.uk/
Buddies are looking for volunteers with lived experience of rough sleeping. Contact Lou.
DAWS doing hepatitis clinics to make getting treatment more accessible.
Ideas for next time
A special focus on women? Maybe Marylebone Project could talk more about their services including the day centre, emergency bed spaces and hostel.
Brain injury?
Capturing impact and outcomes?
Different models of providing support?
Managing change and shrinking resources?