Review of the Year
Who We Work With
This introduces some of the changes we’ve implemented over the year, including some of the challenges we’ve faced, but also the highlights. High levels of activity have meant more pressure on our centre, resources and staff. We have not only experienced an increase in demand for what we offer, but have reviewed our services in line with our core mission to help end street homelessness. How are we doing it? This is where this year’s annual review’s theme of ownership and increasing user participation takes centre stage. Over the last year we’ve been further enhancing and developing a new and an innovative range of services focused on involving and engaging homeless people. Giving people ownership and a degree of control over their circumstances is proven to build confidence, self esteem and to empower people to take responsibility for their lives, which is a major catalyst for change - helping people move away from life on the streets. This is only part of the story. We’re also doing more to meet each client’s individual needs. For example, we’re working on projects to engage an increasingly diverse range of people. This includes younger people between the ages of 16 – 25 years. People in this age group can sometimes lead particularly chaotic lives even in the most settled of circumstances, so 4
it’s very important that we respond to their needs. By working with them, we instill a sense of self worth and of responsibility, not dependency which is very important at this time in the lives of younger people, especially those who look to us for assistance. We don’t adopt a “one size fits all” approach. We use different methods depending on the individual’s circumstances and we’re providing more interactive and creative services, for instance our newly established photography group. This workshop captures people’s imagination and gives them the freedom to experiment with a variety of different digital media. Our re-energised services are paying dividends and we’re seeing the difference it’s making to the lives of our clients. This is vital work and a cornerstone of our aim to eliminate rough sleeping on the streets of the capital.
Gender
Age
Male (82%)
16 – 25 (22%)
Female (18%)
26 – 59 (70%) 60 and over (8%)
Ethnicity
Origin
Asian (4%)
London (30%)
Black African / Caribbean (22%)
UK outside London (30%)
Irish (4%)
Outside UK [Europe] (22%)
Chinese (0.5%)
Outside UK [non-Europe] (18%)
Mixed (3%) Other (2.5%) White UK (40%) White other (24%)
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