Day Centre Support Workers Ursula and Chris are being profiled in the second blog in a series in which we share some of our daily activities with the public and our supporters.
Support Worker Ursula
Ursula says: “It is our job to understand each client’s story, because everyone has one. Some days when I leave The Ark, I am exhausted because I have heard some really tough stories. People have been thrown around from one place to another all their lives, never knowing family life. It is no surprise that our clients do not know how to fit in, do not know how to socialise, and find it hard to express feelings.
What We Help With
· Housing
· Personal Independence Payment form PIP form
· Physical and mental health issues
· Security
· Banking
· So much more!
Ursula explains: “Because there are fewer cameras in town, theft on the streets is a real problem. One of my clients has had to have four new bank cards as they are being stolen. Clients sleep on their phones, cards, any cash. It is impossible to sleep properly like that – and sleep deprivation makes everything worse.
“Recently there has been a group of youths on bikes who have been threatening and tormenting clients.
We are working closely with the police to make them aware and improve client security.
Housing Issues in Shropshire
Ursula says: “There simply are not enough properties available, that is obvious. But we also have issues when individuals come from out of the county, even if it is Telford and Newtown etc., because Shropshire County has no duty of care if they have a property. But they may still need support to help them transition from situations where they experienced homelessness, addiction, family breakdown etc.
“If they do not have a property, or if they are a victim of cuckooing, abuse, violence, and are fleeing, we can get the Shropshire abuse teams to find a safe place, if there is availability. But it often takes time for people to tell us what their story is, for people to open up and trust us.
How do we Work with New Clients?
· We register each client
· Find out what support they need
· Call Shropshire Council
· Refer to the alco/drug RESET/We are With You team
· The Shropshire Council Housing/Rough Sleeper team are here three days each week and we have a great working relationship with them
· Cross check with the Mental health team and see if the new client is known to them
· Encourage journal keeping, to record spending, who they have contact with and what process they are in
Ursula’s Magic wand (if she had one!):
• I would call a meeting of all the local agencies and improve the sharing of all information
• Stop people falling through the gaps
• Have more than one property for clients to bid on each week
• We have no accommodation of our own to offer and there are very few properties available
• Get everyone to settle easily into their accommodation
• Give the support they need, not just what’s available
• Currently, clients have 14-days support available after they have been accommodated. But what happens after 14-days?
• Change the Care system so that people are not abandoned at 18. The system should know what is happening to a person until they at 25 but that does not happen
Ursula says: “I love what I do. I like to help people. To see people smiling, and to have a bit of hope, believing that there could be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Case Worker Chris
Chris says: “We deal with our clients’ complex needs, which are based on family breakdown, addiction, poor Care experience and difficulty transitioning from the Care system. Mental health issues are a key focus because our clients do not get the help needed via the state system.
Neuro diversity is another focus because throughout their lives, that support is not there. We work closely with other agencies but there can be a lack of understanding.
“To be on a spectrum and rough sleeping is terrible.”
How Do We Deal with Substance/Alcohol Addiction?
· We work closely with the Reset TEAM SRP/We are With You, to assist with recovery
· We make sure they go to appointments and go with them if needed
· Provide general advice
· Most of our team has worked with Reset
What does the Ark do?
Chris continues: “We create a place that feels like a family unit. We provide a bit of ‘normal’ life, peace to read a book, we make sure that everybody has someone to chat to. Dignity and privacy are important in The Ark, with showers, laundry facilities and lavatories.”
We Provide:
· Referrals
· General support with anything that needs to be done
· Housing forms, application forms
· Washing clothes
· Cutting hair
· Washing hair
· Private time to work out problems
· Dignity
· What our clients need
Thank You
A HUGE thank you to everyone who support us! We are currently supporting 30 people in our community and are at capacity. We never charge for our services. We don't receive any government funding and are reliant on grants and your support. Everything we do to support vulnerable people in our community is because of your generosity.