dewis : in brief autumn 2014
DESCRIPTION
The Quarterly Newsletter for Dewis Housing, Young Persons Housing Charity Based in Neath and Port Talbot.TRANSCRIPT
www.dewishousing.org Autumn 2014
New Chair and Vice Chair of Dewis Dewis is delighted to announce that our new Chairperson is Lisa Evans, who was appointed to the role in July. Lisa is currently Corporate Governance Officer at NPT Homes, and was recognised as a Rising Star Cymru by the Chartered InsGtute of Housing Wales. Dewis Director Stuart Mackinnon said ‘Lisa is the ideal appointment, and will support the charity’s strategic direcGon with a robust background in organisaGonal change, governance and performance.’ Lisa stated “I am delighted to be the new Chair of Dewis. I am passionate about the Neath Port Talbot area and providing support to young people to help improve their life chances. I started my career in Dewis and I am pleased to be able to give something back to the organisaGon through my new role. Dewis has gone through a significant cultural change over the past 18 months and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the Board, staff and young people to build on this change and take the organisaGon from strength to strength.”
The role of Vice-‐Chair has been awarded to Judith Norris-‐Jones, who is currently head of HR at Wales and West Housing AssociaGon. CongratulaGons Judith !
�1In Brief September 2014
Dewis Bond Board
Unfortunately many providers are sGll waiGng to hear the outcome of the SecGon 180 grant review, currently being undertaken by Welsh Government. Despite the delays, the Bond Board is sGll operaGonal , so please conGnue to refer any young people who are looking to access private rented sector accommodaGon, and may require financial support. The Director will be wriGng to Leslie Griffiths Cabinet Member for CommuniGes and Tackling Poverty in relaGon to this ma\er.
For informaGon on our Bond Board : [email protected]
!Meeting with David Rees AM
Assembly Member for Aberavon David Rees, paid a visit to Dewis recently to learn more about our services and priorities for young people. The discussion focussed on the need to continue funding key prevention services (such as those funded by Section 180) currently under review, and to address the increasing number of young people with complex needs requiring specialist housing solutions.
!
DEWIS: IN BRIEF News | Information | Young People
In Brief: News for Stakeholders September 2014
www.dewishousing.org �2Info: [email protected] Brief Autumn 2014
Thanks to Gareth Foster
Having now appointed Lisa Evans as Chair of Dewis, the whole organisaGon and board would like to thank former Chair Gareth Foster’s for his vital contribuGon to Dewis for over 25 years. Gareth’s commitment has been second to none, and although he steps down as Chairperson, we are sure he will conGnue to play a vital role at board level. Thank you Gareth for steadying the ship through calm and rough waters !
Youth Links Group
Last year we set up a Dewis Youth Board to ensure that our services conGnue to meet the needs of young people. The young people recently renamed this group ‘Youth Links’. The Youth Links group is a key group for young people to arGculate their voice and directly shape the development of the organisaGon. Recent meeGngs have focussed on developing our future tenant parGcipaGon calendar, and how best to adverGse events to young people.
The Outside PerspecCve: John Muir and Dewis Discovery
Dewis understands that Tenant ParGcipaGon has to be targeted towards specific aspiraGons, skills and outcomes. Dewis categorises parGcipaGon in one of three key areas: Independent Living Skills, OrganisaGonal Engagement and Health, Well Being and EducaGon.
In strengthening the HWB & EducaGon services, we have linked with the John Muir Award scheme, to offer regular annual acGviGes focussing on exploraGon, environmental conservaGon and educaGon. These acGviGes offer young people the opportunity to explore, conserve and share their knowledge on the natural environment. Recent events have included a Kayak Safari and a Mountain Adventure day on the Black Mountain. For more informaGon please contact [email protected]
facebook.com/dewis
twi\er.com/DewisHousing
Stakeholder Review and Business Development Day 2014
In line with prioriGes outlined in our 2014-‐2017 Business plan, key stakeholders will shortly be invited to a\end a Review and Business Development session, so that not only can the quality of service be reviewed and strengthened, but also to inform our business plan objecGves, and have a direct influence on the future direcGon of the organisaGon. For info contact [email protected]
In Brief: News for Stakeholders September 2014
www.dewishousing.org �3Info: [email protected] Brief Autumn 2014
Consulting on the Proposed Renting Homes Bill
Dewis Management attended an event in Cardiff facilitated by Cymorth Cymru, to gather views on the Renting Homes Bill that will be submitted to the Assembly next year.
The Bill will propose reform to the long and short term tenancy agreements used in rented housing. In relation to Supported Housing two key changes are proposed: the development of a Supported Contract which will effectively be an AST, but of greater interest is the development of a licence which can be extended by approval from the local authority. It is this area that realised the most discussion, as all providers were in agreement that the ability to extend a license at short notice was critical in direct access / complex needs schemes, and that local authority officers may not have sufficient knowledge of the individual concerned, to provide assurance on the extension. Operations Manager Amanda Oliver met with Simon White from Welsh Government who is leading on the Bill, to feedback Dewis direct views.
Dewis Neath Office Development : Update
Following the recent purchase of property at 88 Windsor Road Neath, Dewis has now received building regs approval, and has appointed COS to carry out the refurbishment. This ‘satellite’ space in central Neath will allow Dewis to more effecGvely support young people in Neath, as well as outreach into surrounding viciniGes. With a 2b flat a\ached, we can also offer vital accommodaGon for young people in need of supported accommodaGon. The office also will allow us to model services to deliver greater flexibility not only for the young people we support, but also for our key commissioners and stakeholders. There will also be a small meeGng space that will be available for use by partners. Opening Nov / Dec 2014.
New AddiCons to the Inclusion Team
We’re delighted to announce the following new Inclusion Officers to the Team:
Carl Hawkes has joined from Gofal with specialisms in Mental Health crisis support.
Jamie Henderson -‐ previously worked for a YP training agency, with specific experience in LGBT issues.
Richie Saunders -‐ Richie previously worked for Mental Health day services in Neath Port Talbot.
Welcome to the team all !
In Brief: News for Stakeholders September 2014
www.dewishousing.org �4Info: [email protected] Brief Autumn 2014
Young Peoples ParCcipaCon : News Round-‐Up
John Muir Award -‐ Black Mountain Adventure
Our young people began working towards a John Muir discovery award, by spending a day on the Black Mountain, learning Hill Safety and navigaGon techniques. The highlight was navigaGng ourselves to the beauGful glacial lake Llyn Y Fan Fawr at the foot of Mynydd Du. A great day out and totally new experience for many young people.
‘The Big Lunch’ -‐ Young People, Lodging Providers and Staff
Dewis organised ‘The Big Lunch’, an iniGaGve in associaGon with the Eden project which links communiGes and neighbours together in an atmosphere of friendship and fun. The day was a great success with staff, lodging providers and young people in a\endance.
Events such as the Big Lunch are a great way to develop a community of support, and to understand the common purpose and value base we all share in striving for happy lives in the community, and recognising the support that we all need to develop effecGve communiGes.
The lunch was also a perfect opportunity for our lodging providers to spend Gme supporGng each other and to relax with young people in a fun environment.
Dewis at Neath College Fresher’s Fair
Dewis Inclusion Officer Carl Hawkes recently a\ended the Freshers’s Fair at Neath College, to highlight the organisaGon’s services to young people in a\endance. There was a great deal of interest in services on offer from both the students and lecturers, and we hope to build greater links with the pastoral care department in ensuring that young people’s transiGon into adulthood fully incorporates a robust understanding of the challenges faced in accessing sustainable housing.