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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
[email protected] 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
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 [email protected]
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.
