IMPACT REPORT 2017/2018 “RESILIENT, COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES WHERE INDIVIDUALS THRIVE IN SAFE AND SECURE HOMES” 3 CONTENTS A FAREWELL SALUTE “TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE HOUSING Kerry joined The Bridge in 2005 to lead and develop our SOLUTIONS FOR administration team. She was a hardworking, committed, INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES and very loyal member of staff. She was a very dear friend 3 A FAREWELL SALUTE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, too. We also got to know her husband Brian, and her two 4 WELCOME EMPOWERMENT AND GOOD daughters Jennifer and Lesley; they would often come into 5 CHAIR PERSON’S REPORT PRACTICE” the office and brighten up our days. 6 HOMELESSNESS In recruiting Kerry, we had in fact recruited a whole team 7 HOMELESS PREVENTION – Team Elliott. Tragically, Jennifer passed away suddenly in 2011, and now we have sadly lost Kerry as well. All of 8 THE 5 YEAR STRATEGY IN ACTION the amazing things the team have achieved this year are a 9 THE 5 YEAR STRATEGY IN ACTION fitting tribute to such a wonderful person. 10 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 11 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS “THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL 12 YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICES REPORT IS DEDICATED 13 TALK²SORT ZAFIRA’S STORY TO KERRY ELLIOTT 14 SINGLE ACCESS POINT BROOKE’S STORY WHO SADLY PASSED 15 SUPPORT SERVICES AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR.” 16 HOUSING MATTERS FOR FAMILIES SUSANNAH’S STORY 17 ADVICE SERVICES 18 CHOICE & CONTROL KIM’S STORY 19 ROUGH SLEEPER PROGRAMME STRATEGICALLY 20 ROUGH SLEEPER PROGRAMME NEIL’S STORY PARTNERED 21 CUSTOMER SERVICES JASON’S STORY WITH 22 BUILDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES 23 THE YES PROJECT RICKY’S STORYS 24 COMMUNICATIONS & FUNDRAISING 25 LOOKING FORWARD 26 OUR STAFF 27 OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS 5 WELCOME TO OUR VALUES CHAIR PERSON’S REPORT THIS YEAR’S RESPECT 2017-2018 We have a commitment ANNUAL REVIEW. to fairness and equality. This is my first message as Chair of the Board and what a year it has been! The Bridge We acknowledge an has continued to grow and expand its work through strategic growth and partnership, I do hope you can take the time to read this year’s review, individual’s needs, beliefs working to deliver services to thousands of vulnerable people who are either homeless which highlights some fantastic achievements, both in terms and their right to make or at risk of homelessness. of client work and the collaborative work which we undertake their own choices. with our partners. Working together provides us with great Headed by an excellent Chief Officer, Peter Davey, the Strategic Management opportunities to improve our services for clients in a more QUALITY Team and staff continue to deliver current services whilst also proactively seeking joined up way. We have a commitment opportunities that will ensure we remain strategically relevant and meet the changing needs of our communities and clients. The Homelessness Reduction Bill received Royal Assent and to delivering excellence; therefore became an Act of Parliament on the 27th April 2017. providing a high standard In respect of this hard work, The Bridge has been recognised for its excellence through The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is the most significant of services with a person- several awards. In application for the internationally recognised quality standard ISO change to homelessness legislation in over a generation. It will centred approach. 9009:15, The Bridge were accredited as best practice for business planning, strategy place new legal duties on English councils so that everyone PARTNERSHIP and service delivery. This is a tremendous acknowledgement of the tireless work the who is homeless or at risk of homelessness will have access to We work with others team repeatedly put in, and I couldn’t be prouder. meaningful help, irrespective of their priority need status, as to create trusting and long as they are eligible for assistance. Here, at The Bridge, we We have also been fortunate to have dedicated and hard-working Trustees who do positive relationships lent our support as the new homelessness framework began so much more than turning up to bi-monthly meetings. They get involved and help which enhance the as a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) introduced to Parliament in support the organisation in many ways. Ensuring the sustainability of the organisation delivery of services June 2016 by Bob Blackman, backbench Conservative MP has been high on our agenda, and in August 2017 we decided to incorporate a new for the benefit of the for Harrow East. Our Loughborough MP, Nicky Morgan, also company; The Bridge (Trading) East Midlands Ltd. The new company allows us to community. provided written support for the PMB. explore new revenue and trading opportunities in order to support the long-term work of the organisation. The new legislation will provide significant challenge for our EMPOWERMENT Local Authority partners in terms of securing enough temporary We encourage clients Unfortunately, illness meant that I was absent for some of the year and our Vice and permanent accommodation. and staff to develop Chair, Richard White, stepped up to the plate and took on the mantle of Chair. My their existing skills and I am very proud of the committed team which we have at The sincere thanks to him and to the rest of the Board of Trustees for all of their support, knowledge. We help to Bridge, and together we have achieved some great outcomes hard work and dedication throughout the year. build self-confidence and via the Homelessness Transitions Programme, The Vulnerable increase opportunities No organisation such as ours can achieve what we do without the help and support Persons Resettlement Scheme, the Rutland Community to make positive of our volunteers, partner organisations, members of the business community, Prevention and Wellbeing Service and all of our other contributions. Loughborough University Students Union, and the generous donations from the established services which provide a vital lifeline for the most public. I would like to thank them all for their help and continued support. disadvantaged and vulnerable people within our communities. POSITIVITY Jay Webb (Chair) To cap another very successful year, we co-authored a paper We have an optimistic entitled ‘Holistic Knowledge Management for Building attitude and approach Resilience in the Voluntary Sector’, with Loughborough which is focused upon University. Following submission of this academic paper, I am identifying innovative delighted to inform you that we beat NASA and the European solutions for all. Patent Office to first place in the International Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Excellence Awards in Barcelona in September 2017. Jay Webb Ashiedu Joel Sue Lees Richard White Rachel White Finally, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Sue McAllister Jon Olds Karen Jewell Megan Wardle all of my team, for their great commitment and compassion, including our Board of Trustees, who provide significant support and oversight. I wish you well. Peter Davey Chief Officer 7 THE NATIONAL STATE OF HOMELESSNESS GOVERNMENT STATISTICS LEADING CAUSES FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION AND RELIEF The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government reports that between April 2017 and March 2018 there were: Preventative measure taken for people to remain in their homes. The pie chart below provides information about the 51% of the 214,980 homelessness prevention cases, where the household was able to remain in their own home. 29,140 26% Problems with benefits 214,980 22,930 21% Debt/rent or mortgage arrears 20,710 19% Issues within the private/socially rented sector cases of homeless 13,030 12% Other prevention 9% of which 7,320 7% Legal issues 7,200 7% Relationship breakdown & relief are located in the 5,190 5% Domestic violence East Midlands. 4,800 4% Crisis Total 110,320 The Guardian reported: Crisis Domestic violence Relationship breakdown BUT THIS DOESN’T EVEN Legal issues 43 years old is the average Only 51% BEGIN TO ACCOUNT FOR Deaths have Other age of a rough sleeper at death, THOSE ROUGH SLEEPING, were able to Issues withinmore the private/socially than rented sector 5 years younger than the OR THE HIDDEN HOMELESS, average life expectancy of a doubledDebt/rent or mortgage arrears remain in their WHOM ARE HIDDEN homeless person. since 2013.Problems with benefits own home. FROM STATISTICS. 0 8% 15% 23% 30% Rough sleeping kills. 449 people died on the streets in Crisis also reports there has been an: the last twelve months. They died from violence, drug 8% rise in homeless families and individuals placed overdoses, illnesses, suicide and murder, among other reasons. in temporary accommodation from 2016/2017, One man’s body showed signs of prolonged starvation. equating to 78,000. Research shows the forecasted figure soon to reach100,000. (Crisis are the national charity for homeless people. They help people directly out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether.) 9 THE 5 YEAR STRATEGY IN ACTION Developed and launched a Theory of Change 1. We will develop our methodology for the organisation prevention and wellbeing offer 2. We will build resilience within Adopted a client centred approach to communications through communities and individuals the development of a social connection strategy Achieved certification against the ISO 9001:2015 3. We will maintain and internationally recognised quality standard enhance our reputation Achieved full compliance against the AQS (Advice Quality 4. We will strengthen and Standard) for our Housing Law Advice Service improve our systems and processes 6. We will develop a creative Developed The Bridge’s brand and effective approach to image to reflect the work of the 5. We will ensure the communications, marketing and PR organisation Continued to make improvements to the building organisation has a fit for for the benefit of clients and staff (e.g.