Shelter me!

QUAKERS CHRISTMAS SHELTER 23.12.11 30.12.11 & 30.12.11 to 1.1.12

Introduction QHA & The Pilion Trust agreed the principal aims and objectives for Quakers Open Christmas during December 2011. The principal objectives of the Substance Misuse Service were to: Assess guests with alcohol and /or drug issues. Advise and inform guests of available services within the catchment the current substance use and change their street life-styles. Work in partnership with Quaker Volunteers to maximise resources for the most entrenched and vulnerable. Provide Harm Minimisation advice to guests. Offer support and information to volunteers regarding their guests. Through agreed care plans, work assertively and creatively with guests and empower them to facilitate change. Refer guests if possible to treatment agencies, hospitals, scripting services, GPs, needle exchange, day programmes, etc., Run a discreet needle exchange for the drug using guests. Offer herbal teas to those guests who had problems with sleeping and dealing with their withdrawals. Support Kate Mellor (Co-ordinator) in setting up additional services for guests. Liaise with Borough services to promote the Quaker Christmas Shelter. The Service ran from 2:30pm on 23 December 2011, till 11am on the 30 December 2011. The Pilion Trust ran an evening service from 2:30pm to 10:30pm each day. Howard coordinated and managed the project and attended daily. Every shift had a worker and a Pilion volunteer who had been trained by Savvas and Howard. The Pilion Trusts Enhanced Community Outreach Team, work within the quality assurance frameworks of Quads/Danos and the NTA. NVQ 3 qualified outreach workers as a team uphold the face of the Trust. The report as tabled below shows the work undertaken with the guests who accessed the Service during the week. The total number of guests who engaged and worked with the Team over the week was 112. The team
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

completed further in depth work with 51 of the guests. The tables below reflect the work carried out with the 51 guests. Type of Support & Information Offered: Harm Reduction/ Minimisation Services information Full Assessment Advice & Information Needle Exchange Counselling Treatment Referrals Food Bank Ethnicity: White British Black British Mixed Race Age Range: Under 25 2635 36 45 46- 55 56+ 4 15 17 5 8 8% 31% 35% 10% 16% Male Female Sexuality: Heterosexual Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Not stated 27 1 2 3 1 15 55% 2% 4% 6% 2% 31% 9 3 6 Irish White Other E10 2 1 15 Caribbean Asian African Gender: 42 7 86% 14% 1 8 5 79 107 51 107 8 49 7 14

Onward Referrals To: Hackney HPU Haringey Shelters Barnet HAB City Roads Camden CHIP CCW4S
Hackney Shelters CARIS Newham Housing Options

Shelter Me! Crash pad CASA NSNO

2 1 6 0 1 1 2 13 2 6 3 1

ISIS Other Services

2 12

11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

Substance Misuse: Primary Alcohol Heroin Crack Cannabis Methadone Benzodiazepine 36 3 7 11 0 1 % 73% 6% 14% 22% 0 2%

Needle Exchange: The needle exchange ran across the whole week in the evenings during the Christmas week. It was a discreet service that was promoted by word of mouth and worked within the protocols of the Governments policy on drug use and the QHA Drug Policy. Over this period: 8 guests accessed the needle exchange daily. 100% of the guests accessing needle exchange were male. 6% of these guests used in combination Crack and Heroin. 35 % of these guests shared works and have had unprotected sex. The length of use ranged from 1year to 10 years. Three of the guests that used the needle exchange disclosed their HIV or HEP status. All guests engaged with Workers to discuss safer injecting practises, safer sex and received condom packs and information about other Services they could access.

CASE STUDIES: Rachel was met by two QHA volunteers in Maida Vale on the afternoon of the 24th. Rachel and the QHA Volunteers spent most of the day at the University College Hospital London attending to Rachels needs which included her mental health and loss of medication. It is safe to say that Rachel became more challenging and chaotic whilst at the hospital, her speech was slurred and Rachel did become violent at one point however this was not directed at any of the Quaker staff and appeared
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

to me more out of anger at not being prescribed the medication of her choice. Rachel arrived at QuaCS, escorted by David and another volunteer in the early evening. Almost immediately I met with Rachel and invited her into the upstairs area with the intention of assessing her needs and options. Taking into account Davids briefing of the past days events and from my own initial assessment it was clear that Rachel was in an extremely vulnerable state. Deborah, one of The Pilion Trusts ECO staff assessed Rachel using our assessment template whilst we discussed other options as QHA staff felt that QuaCS, although a safe place, might not be the best environment for her. Within an hour Rachel was referred to the Cally Shelter Me! Young Persons Crash Pad with a care plan of keeping her safe until 6th January when she would be attending detox. The Cally Shelter was a much smaller and in this case safer environment for Rachel, where more extensive work could be done to assist her in working through some of her more historic issues. Rachel left the safety of The Cally Shelter on the 28th December of her own volition and we have had reports back from various Drug/Alcohol services from Islington, Camden and Westminster regarding Rachel although it seems that she is not engaging. She returned to the Crash Pad on the 8th January to collect her things. She stayed the night and was supported back to Westminster Alcohol Services the next morning for her to be given priority. Case Studies 2 SO, an African gentleman in his 50s arrived at QuaCS on the first night and met him briefly. As the week progressed I found Mr Os case intriguing, he became Homeless after family relations broke down, especially with his sister. Mr O also had issues with his paperwork and has been diagnosed with lung cancer, for which he attends Homerton Hospital Out -Patients. Mr O stayed with us for the whole Christmas and New Year Period and was referred onto the Hackney Shelter programme whilst we could advocate for him with The Home Office and Hackney Housing Options. Whilst residing with The Hackney Shelters we were informed that Mr O had not slept in his bed for one night and so I began to try and find him as he had not
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

contacted The Pilion Trust or told anyone where he was going, which was unusual for Mr O. On the second day I found Mr O as an in-patient at Homerton Hospital. His cancer had become more progressive and he was having fluid drained from his lungs. I liaised both with Mr O and the hospital social work team about Mr Os options and possible choices and we are now waiting for a comprehensive assessment from Hackney Social Services. OUTCOMES: Out of the 51 active guests that engaged with The Pilion Trusts specialist staff the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. 2 Guests accessed Mental Health Services 2. 1 guest accessed detox on the 6th January 2012. 3. 13 Guests accessed CARIS, 6 accessed HAB, 2 accessed CC4WS, 1 accessed Haringey Shelters and 1 accessed Hackney Shelters. 4. 4 Guests also accessed Barnet, Islington and Hackney HPUS and one guest accessed Camden CHIP/Spectrum. 5. A further 6 Young People (under 25s) accessed The Pilion Trusts Shelter Me! Crash Pad. 6. Alcohol use (73%) was the preferred substance used by the guests. 7. A further 5 (10%) guests were given housing options. 8. Violence, Robbery, Begging and shop lifting is the main source of income of the guests to fund their substance use. 9. 35% of guests were aged between 36-45 yrs old. This is lower than previous years although the percentages where higher for the 26-35 yrs at 31% and 73% were Male. 10. The E10s were the main ethnic group that accessed The Pilion Trusts specialist service accompanied by a myriad of guests from other ethnic origins. 11. More than (55%) of the guests had complex needs and mental health issues.

Shelter Me! Extension Shelter Introduction: The Quakers funded Pilion, this year to support them to continue the service until 1st January 2012, when the CARIS Shelters started. Howard and Savvas and a collection of volunteers arranged for food donations from Local restaurants, clothing was donated by Calling London and local nightclub Egg, the coats, hats, gloves etc where then given to the homeless residents first and housed service
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

users also got to take three items. The aims of the shelter were as follows: Offer a safe environment to rough sleepers and homeless persons in Islington. Deliver harm reduction support to clients with drug and alcohol dependency needs. Deliver a site based needle exchange. Additional support mental health, housing, ID, benefits, legal issues immigration and any other complex need. Offer nutritious meals, laundry, shower and clothing store facilities.

Shelter Me!: The Shelter Me! Project took over from the Quaker Action Homeless at the Union Chapel at 10am on the 30th December 2011to 2pm on 1st January 2012. The shelter offered access to 25+ people per night from Islington. The shelter ran activities, talking therapies, group work and delivered triage assessments and a needle exchange. In total 27 individuals stayed at the shelter during this period and a further 15 housed people received food, support and advice.

The Guests: Below are the demographic statistics of the guests who stayed at the shelter: 25 were men and 2 women. 4 of the guests had diagnosed metal health needs. 6 had dual diagnosis needs linked to drug and alcohol misuse and mental health needs. 12 were alcohol dependant 3 were heroin dependant. 0 were crack dependant. 4 guests had physical health needs that needed GP or hospital interventions.

Outcomes: By 2:00pm on the 1st January 2012 the following outcomes had been achieved:
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

13 guests accessed CARIS Winter shelter programme. 6 guests accessed Shelter Me! Young Persons Crash Pad. 3 guest signed tenancy with St. Mungos Margery Street Rolling Shelter. 1 guest was referred to No Second Night Out 1 guest accessed an lgbt specific housing support service. 1 guest was referred to supported housing and awaiting his tenancy. Several of our guests who were not sleeping over were either vulnerably housed or hidden homeless ie sofa surfing and squatting. 6 clients referred and assessed by CRI ISIS 2 clients referred for alcohol assessment 0 clients admitted to hospital this year! 6 clients where referred to local GPs 5 clients accessed benefits and NI numbers 1 client applied for ID for his Nigerian nationality. 2 clients referred to and attended the Refugee Council.

Summary: The weather has been kinder to us than in previous years. This plus CRISIS having opened its Drug and Alcohol Provision for over 100 homeless people down the road on Pentonville Road and No Second Night Out (NSNO) running near Sadlers Wells and St. Mungos Rolling Shelter accommodating 36 homeless, the QuaCS Shelter was well attended and bed occupancy remained high. We saw an increase in E10 Nationals from Eastern Europe with complex issues including addictions, mental health, benefits, housing, NINOs Domestic Violence and etc. Alcohol and Mental Health being the greatest need and the age range remained similar this year as in last year (36yr to 45yr olds). With central Government policies and funding cuts to Local boroughs and Services, we found it impossible to access detox and rehabs for people. This year also brought challenges with Local Authorities closing their Housing Offices from the 23rd December 2011 to the 4th January 2012. This left homeless people without an ability to access emergency housing. As the austerity measures continue to be introduced and this Government continues to target the poor, homeless and vulnerable the challenges for both our organisations will continue and will need to be met with some level of creativity. The ability to extend the shelter gave The Pilion Trusts Enhanced Community Outreach team an opportunity to work more closely with these individuals to pathway them to necessary services. All in all we believe the project not only
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542

delivered a necessary service to people but also exceeded its aims and expectations. Conclusions: The partnership between our two organisations worked well, creating a safe, warm and relaxed environment for guests to feel at home. This enabled many of our guests to open up and begin the journey of exploring issues that may have been the causes of their homelessness, addictions and other complex needs. The referral system and bed management worked differently to previous years and was a complete success, good communication between both parties was essential in making this happen. This year we had Sheila Roy, a volunteer solicitor available for legal advice around housing and immigration. We also worked closely with the winter shelters in other boroughs. Howard took the lead with housing advice and referrals, while the rest of The Pilion Trust team dealt with specialist counselling/advice, identifying correct support needs and referrals to the appropriate services to help our guests with their issues. The extension of the shelter created a much needed family atmosphere where the guests got involved in activities, including cleaning, changing beds, and cooking helping them take ownership of their space creating and feeling of belonging. Unlike many services, The Pilion Trust holds its person centred approach as a valuable way of working, helping us to break down some of the barriers that exclude many of our more vulnerable guests. Creating a safer more intimate environment in the upstairs hall benefited those that accessed The Pilion Trusts service and afforded dignity to those that had private and complex issues to share. This year we welcomed 8 new volunteers and staff to The Pilion Trusts team, they all worked extremely hard in partnership with Quaker Action Homeless staff and volunteers to create a positive experience for our guests and themselves. Feedback from all staff and volunteers has been invaluable this year in identifying areas that can be improved and we were particularly impressed with their skills, dedication and care. We would also like to thank Quaker Action Homeless, Calling London, Budgens, The Egg Nightclub, Waitrose, Tesco, Euphorium Bakery and World Homeless Action Day for some great donations, support and time. Howard Garrick Shelter Me! PROJECT CO ORDINATOR Pilion Trust 02/01/2012
11 Clarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL W: www.piliontrust.org.uk B:http://piliontrust.blogspot.com Part of the Pilion Trust, who provide services to local communities for vulnerable people and families with alcohol, drug and mental health problems
The Pilion Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No.6043010 England & Wales And a Registered Charity Registration 1122628

Telephone: 020 7700-2498 Fax: 020 7700-2542