Dewis: In Brief March 2015

www.dewishousing.org ‘Supporting Young People’ March 2015

In Brief : March 2015 �1

DEWIS: IN BRIEF News | Information | Young People

It’s with great excitement that Dewis opens its new base on Windsor Road in Neath. For over 25

years Dewis has been based largely in Port Talbot, but has always supported young people in the

Neath area. With this in mind, and an increasing demand for services, the organisation has opened

a space for young people in the Neath area to access our services more conveniently. As part of

the development we have also been able to develop a high-quality 2-bedroom flat above our

offices, so that we can provide support to young people moving on, or in need of more intensive

support. Having an office in central Neath also allows better access to many partner agencies such

as the Credit Union, Coastal Housing, Neath CVS who are all based in the vicinity. With a small IT

space and meeting room, young people are already welcoming the new presence and staff are

able to work flexibly across the Neath Port Talbot locality. Pop in and see us at 88 Windsor Road!

IT’S NICE TO BE IN NEATH! NEW OFFICE OPENING

http://www.dewishousing.org



News Snippets !

LGBT Support - Thanks to financial support from the Youth Fund Dewis have been able to facilitate an LGBT group to provide support, advice and guidance on any related matters. The advice service is led by our Inclusion Officer Jamie Henderson who is contactable at [email protected]

Drop In, Web Browse and Print - In keeping with our Port Talbot office, our new office in Neath also has a small Web space for you to utilise for job search, web browsing, printing and of course Facebook! This is available to all young people regardless of whether or not you are supported by Dewis.

Meet Carl Hawkes: Service Coordinator We’d like to introduce you to Carl Hawkes. Carl joined Dewis back in September and was recently appointed as our Service Coordinator within the Inclusion Team. Carl has a background in Mental Health support services, having previously worked for Gofal. Outside of work, Carl is a keen but frustrated fly-fisherman, who enjoys the outdoors as well as family life. Carl also enjoys raising money for charity and has recently completed 10 x 10k races in succession, although he says he will never do it again!

As for working at Dewis Carl says ‘I’m grateful to have the opportunity to make a real difference in young people’s lives, gaining new experiences along the way, including securing an allotment at Baglan to develop a community initiative with our young people. It is also great to see young people like Daniel who is featured in this issue, being rewarded for their successes. Dan achieving Student of the Year at Neath College for his achievement in mechanical engineering makes me feel really proud.’




HOUSING SOLUTIONS : DEWIS BOND BOARD AND PRIVATE SECTOR ACCOMMODATION

In addition to Supported Housing and our Lodgings Service, Dewis also offers a Bond service so that young people can have access to good quality accommodation in the private sector. Our Bond Board is open to all 16-25 year olds, and offers a 6 - 18 month bond certificate to allow young people who are financially excluded to access private rented accommodation in a safe and structured way. The benefit to private landlords is that the bond guarantees that any rent arrears or damages are covered, during the period that the certificate is valid. During this time, the young person receives support in order to become more financially independent, and work towards the accrual of sufficient finance to take on the bond themselves, as well as the associated responsibilities of being a effective tenant.

The bond service is funded by Welsh Government under its Section 180 Homelessness Grant scheme. In 2013/14 we had a hugely successful year way exceeding Welsh Government targets, with 25 bonds being given to young people at risk of homelessness and exclusion from private sector accommodation.

The young people we support continuously feedback on how the bond Board as helped them:

‘Without the help of Dewis and the Bond Board, I would still be living in a place that the Fire Service and Environmental Health said was inhabitable.’

If you would like more info contact Joyce Thomas [email protected] or call 01639 882536


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Profile on our Supporters: St Theodore’s Church Port Talbot

St Theodore's Church Port Talbot has been a dedicated supporter for many years. Recently they donated close to £1000 yet again through the kind support of their congregation. This money has helped young people with college fees, educational materials, hardship funds and tenant participation activities. Dewis staff recently visited St Theodore's to present a Certificate of Appreciation for its continuing contribution.

Volunteering with Dewis -Meet Kemba Haddaway Morgan

‘Hi I’m Kemba Hadaway-Morgan. My career path began in Trinidad where I worked as a teacher, which often extended beyond the academic scope as I found myself engaging with social service providers, in order to support students and their families affected by drug and alcohol abuse. I am a Criminology and Psychological Studies graduate, pursuing qualified social worker status through a Masters programme.

In order to gain practical experience of support, I volunteer at Dewis, which has given me valuable insight and practical experience of the challenges and rewards of supporting young people. I have also gained further appreciation for working as part of a team through a multi- agency approach. I would strongly recommend volunteer work at Dewis, the management and staff are supportive and the rewards are priceless.’

Robyn Kingston - Social Work Placement at Dewis

‘I recently undertook my first 20-day social work placement with Dewis. The knowledge I have gained has been fantastic and the staff that work here have been so supportive. I was made to feel like one of the team from day one and have been included in staff meetings and support sessions. Meeting the young people and seeing the support they receive has helped me see what a valuable service this is. There have been times when staff have had to deal with challenging situations and have done so in a professional and supportive manner.

I would recommend this placement to any Social Work student as it has given me invaluable insight into how Dewis provides support to young people and how staff go above and beyond their role to provide an excellent service. Thank you all!’




Another Success: Daniel Glendon Tells His Story ‘I found out about Dewis through College but also through friends of mine. I had been living with a friend and with my Nan. When my Nan moved away I found myself with nowhere to live, so I came to Dewis and applied for housing. Dewis explained my options, and after a little while on the waiting list secured my own flat in Windsor Road. My support worker Carl has been really enthusiastic, and helped me with a support plan, (over a fry up!) setting up bills and assisting me when i moved into the flat. Carl also involved me in Dewis activities such as kayaking which I really enjoyed.

I’m attending college studying engineering which is going really well, and I recently won Student of the Year in my subject area, Carl came shopping with me to find a suit for the awards ceremony. Amanda the Manager at Dewis came along to the awards which was really nice. My plan is to gain an apprenticeship as a machinist or as a toolmaker. I’d also like to find somewhere permanent to live through Dewis so I can be fully independent. I’m making steps towards that by attending the move-on training and move on panel. Dewis support has been really good, all I’ve had to do is ask and they will always support me. ‘ Daniel - March 2015




Dan Jones: Artist and Poet !

Dan is a man of many talents, and is a fantastic poet and artist it seems. Dan most recently was involved in the ‘How Big is Your Brave’ art workshop and exhibition led by Swansea Young Single Homeless Project.

Dan says ‘The project was about showing people a little about ourselves and how perhaps we are all actually brave. It started off as an idea that steadily and quickly became a personal journey.When I started going to the workshop I didn’t think there was a great deal I could contribute, but I quickly became just as much as involved as the other young people and staff there.

I had been writing poetry and drawing for a long time, and a lot of my writing went well with the other young people’s work. My words would often accentuate and explain some of the emotions that were going on in the pictures. I only originally started writing for my own pleasure but ended up having my written work put up in the gallery along with other wonderful works of art.

All around the exhibition room I saw people looking at the art work and then reading pieces of my writing. I will never forget the Swansea actress Helen Griffin telling me that my writing had in fact made her cry. It will be a night I shall not soon forget. And I shall always remember the feeling of profound achievement by touching the heart of some of the people around me that day.’




The Opening of our new Neath Office

Everyone at Dewis is delighted that we have now opened our new office in Neath. After purchasing the old Motaquote premises at 88 Windsor Road last summer, we were finally able to complete the refurbishment to a high standard and open fully for business in January. The new office offers an accessible visible base for young people and Dewis partners, a small meeting space and area for young people to access the web and IT. As part of the development Dewis also refurbished a 2-bedroom flat above the property to provide transitional housing for our young people, with the added benefit of having support on-hand should young people need additional interventions. In January we had an open day, and we would like to extend our thanks to those who came along including Coastal Housing, Caerlas, Route 16, Board Members and Young People. Here are a couple of pictures to see off this issue. :0)


Documents

Dewis: In Brief March 2015