temperatures should be much warmer than those

experienced in December 2006 & 7.

The aim of the event is to raise awareness of

homelessness and to raise funds for Stevenage Haven’s

work with single people who find themselves homeless. If

you are willing to raise sponsorship and to sleep outside

overnight please contact us. The event is open to all ages

but those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21

and over. For groups of under 18s there would need to be

one adult for every 8 under 18s.

We are also looking for people who would be willing to help

out at the event in areas such as registration, refreshments,

first aid, stewarding and security.

Registration starts at 8.30pm and refreshments will be

available. Refreshments and toilet facilities will be

available all night. In the event of severe weather there will

be shelter in Springfield House.

Contact Mike Nash on 01438 726703 or

mike.nash@stevenagehaven.org.uk or see the News

section of our website at www.haven.ik.com for sponsor forms and more information.

Stevenage Haven

Supporters’ Newsletter Issue 8 March 2009

During a visit to a homeless shelter, a Government minister spoke to The Comet about the necessity for housing in this area, how homelessness is being handled, and how to combat recession. Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for C o m m u n i t i e s a n d L o c a l Government, was welcomed by staff and residents at Stevenage Haven last Thursday. During a tour of the building Mr Wright spoke to residents who told

him how staff at Stevenage Haven have proactively helped them acquire the skills needed to go out and get jobs. One young man who did not want to be named told him how he is now a qualified plumber and plasterer. Mr Wright said: ”Not only do staff give people a place to stay, but they proactively help them to get jobs. These people are getting real skills to go out and get real work. This place gives people real hope.” Mr Wright said the reason for his visit was to see what is on offer for people who are homeless in the area.

He said it was great to see the proactive staff at Stevenage Haven, adding “If you are reactive all the time, how on earth can you get your life back on track and find stability?” What I also like is that Stevenage Borough Council employs a proactive strategy to tackling homelessness by finding the underlying causes and trying to mediate with families and provide skills. Talking about the current recession Mr Wright said “it’s tough out there but the fundamentals haven’t changed. We still need skills in a wide range of areas, and skills and employment are absolutely key to getting out of this recession. When asked how Comet Country’s infrastructure will cope with the planned 3,600 homes west of Stevenage and up to 7,000 east of Luton, Mr Wright said “I recognise that people are concerned and I think we have to be sensible and ensure any development is well planned.” “The last thing I want to see is a development that doesn’t think of the long term future, so that we will have to demolish it in 15 years time because it’s not sustainable.” He added, “This is an extremely desirable place to live and affordability is a real issue in this area, so we do need more homes.”

Join us for Sleepout 2009

Stevenage Haven is organising its own

Sleepout this year having previously

participated in the St Albans Abbey Sleepout

in 2006 & 7. The event is to be held in the

garden of Springfield House in Stevenage

Old Town on Friday 3rd July 2008 from

8.30pm through to 7am the next morning

and will therefore be kinder to sleepers since

Thank you!! Thank You to all our supporters who continue to faithfully support our work with homeless people throughout the year. Thanks to all those individuals, churches and groups who provided gifts at Harvest time and Christmas. Our supporters help us in many ways including financial support, gifts in kind and volunteering.

We can always use new volunteers. Opportunities are available to volunteer lunch times or evenings assisting staff and chatting with residents. Volunteers can also assist in the afternoons with the provision of Day Services such as Arts and Crafts, IT

and sports activities. We also have

opportunities for drivers to pick up

near to sell by date food from Marks

& Spencer three evenings a week. If

you are interested please contact

Frankie Trudgill on 01438 354884

frankie.trudgill@stevenagehaven.org.uk.

My Second Stay At SH Saved My Life

I became homeless in July 2004 at the age of 18. ……I did not take advantage

of all the services and advice offered to me and was asked to leave and I did

not abide by Stevenage Haven rules - I had been at SH approximately 1 month.

I spent time on the streets and staying at another shelter. During this time I did

manage to wean myself off Class A drugs - December 19th 2004 although I

still smoked weed I had succeeded in 6 months to reach my goal.

My father allowed me to move back in with him and I continued to sort my life

out. I found a job that I held for 19 months. Unfortunately my job ended.

My life had hit rock bottom . I had not

only lost my job , my home again, my self esteem, I even lost the will to live

and actually did attempt suicide.

Luck was on my side. SH accepted me

back 2 years after my last stay, SH were prepared to give me that second

chance I desperately needed.

This time I took advantage of all the

help, support and advice that was on offer. I found my counselling sessions

extremely helpful. I continued with my personal studies and made every effort

to abide by SH guidelines. The staff were very supportive. I listened to their

advice and did what was necessary.

During this stay I formed a very serious

relationship with another resident. W h e n I w a s o f f e r e d S B C

accommodation, a lovely one bedroom flat, we decided to move in together.

I am back in full time work, as is my

partner so this is a double success. I would say that my second stay at SH

saved my life and gave me a new one.

Statistics 2003 - 8

My Choice

Every day’s a struggle

Every day’s a fight,

Too many drugs inside me

To add to my plight

I’m sick of this existence

Just living day to day,

Only supplying my habit

This is not the way,

There’s wonders all around me

So much love within arms reach

It’s time fro me to grow up

I know life’s not a peach

I see two paths in front of me

One easy and one hard,

I’m walking down the rocky one

It’s time to play my card,

It’s now I show my loved ones

I’m not a hopeless case,

My mum and dad and everyone

I’ve finally seen my space,

No more false euphoria

They’re better here for me,

And now it’s time to wake up

And really truly see,

So forgive my indiscretions

And take a closer look

They’re more to me than drink and

drugs

And the heroin I cook.

Stevenage Haven

5 Ditchmore Lane

Stevenage

SG1 3LJ

Phone: 01438 354884

Fax: 01438 340155

Email:

Extracts from Residents’ Stories Booklet

Chris Foster House homelessness statistics are now available to download from the News Section of our website at www.haven.ik.com. Planned move-on rates for residents of our hostel in 2008 rose to 68.6%. The hostel continues to be full most of the year and we therefore have to refuse referrals because we are full - 496 referrals refused per year for the last 6 years.

Move-on Accommodation

Stevenage Day 14th June

Maggie Williams is again frantically collecting new items for our children’s and adults’ Tombolas for Stevenage Day which takes place on Sunday 14th June from 12.30pm-5pm on King George V playing fields. If you have any unwanted goods which could be used for either Tombola stall please contact Maggie on 01438 354884 or maggie.williams@stevenagehaven.org.uk

In January 2009 Stevenage Haven

was able to increase its move-on

accommodation from 8 to 16 units.

The Annexe provides a 4 bedroom flat

with shared lounge, kitchen and

bathroom facilities. Springfields 1-4

provide 4 x 1 bedroom properties with

lounge/kitchen/diner and bathroom

with a shared garden. These are

welcome additions to Havens 2 and 3-

6.

There is a severe shortage of move-on

property for single homeless people in

Stevenage which means residents stay

longer at our hostel than is desirable

and many homeless people cannot

gain access because we are full.

We’re on the web at

www.haven.ik.com

Secure & Settled

Support Worker Stevenage Haven has been awarded a 3 year contract from the Hertfordshire

Supporting People Team to expand the

current 27.5 hours per week Secure & Settled Floating Support service to a

52.5 hours per week service.

Tania Barradell is our current Secure &

Settled Support worker and the initial 3 year grant funded project commenced

in September 2007. The service has been oversubscribed almost since it

started and this funding will allow a 2nd worker to be employed.

The project provides proactive support to ex-residents of our emergency hostel

in their own homes and helps them to overcome difficulties which might

other wise threaten their tenancies. The new support worker is expected to

start work in May/June 2009.