Why is a scheme needed?
Homelessness people often feel lonely and isolated. They
have coped with conditions most of us will hopefully
never have to. The difference it makes to have a friend
in difficult times is huge. One befriending scheme review
for 2003 showed that 80% of those befriended kept their
tenancy, amongst a group where drop out rates are notoriously
high.
One recent report stated that "Giving a homeless person
a home does not keep them off the streets for good. Homeless
people need wide-ranging support to ensure they do not
become homeless again."
Where are the befriending schemes going to be?
Early work has singled out East Ayrshire and Fife as
likely areas for the new schemes. In both these areas
homelessness has increased greatly in the past year.
A key worker in Fife said "a befriending project
would make an enormous difference to the young people
we work with but we do not have the resources to develop
one: can you help us?"
How does a scheme work?
The Edinburgh Fresh Start scheme offers a model that
Churches Housing is keen to develop. Claire Binney
organises the befriending service, she explains what
is involved after a client and befriender have been
matched:
They meet once a week for a couple of hours a time,
and the relationship aims to last a year to 18 months.
We also organise events where all the befirenders and
clients meet - bowling, barbecues and so on. It's not
a home visiting scheme. The clients pay for themselves,
so they learn how to budget for their social life. Volunteers
get out of pocket expenses.
Why do we need more?
Although every befriending scheme makes a difference
there are not enough in Scotland. There are big gaps
in both rural and urban areas. With the positive results
other schemes have had, by filling these gaps we can
make a great difference to Scotland's homeless people.
What makes the Churches Housing scheme different?
Churches Housing aims to keep its organisation as slim
line as possible and does not look to its own expansion.
Therefore we aim to help local groups develop and set
up their own schemes that can take account of local
issues.
Why help locally?
Many people wish to help their local area and often don't
know how. Scottish Housing has ten years experience
in working with homeless people. We can use our experience
to help local people set up their schemes and develop
their own skills and experience, therefore helping
them have a direct effect on their own community.
How can I help?
At the moment we are raising funds to help start the
befriending scheme. You can donate on line or by sending
a cheque however large or small to the address at the
bottom of the page.
Who can be a befriender?
Anyone over 18 with life experience…but before
the local areas can recruit, we need to raise enough
money to get the schemes up and running. If you are interested
in befriending please support our appeal. If you keep
an eye on our web site and our free newsletter Our Homeless
Neighbour (insert link to the Our Homeless Neighbour
sign-up page), you will be kept up to date on the progress
of our appeal and when local initiatives will be recruiting.
|
