ANNUAL www.caerlas.org.uk
Report
friendsh Thank you to our dedicated trustees who serve voluntarily during the year. l
Dereck Roberts (Chair)
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Grahame Sturges
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Tessa Evans
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Teresa Metcalf
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Mark Child
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Fran Griffiths
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Carol Ann Ashton
The pictures in this report do not necessarily relate to the text design: prydderchjones.com
By Joanne McNally
Hello and thank you for taking time to read our latest Annual Report.
creating new offers for personal development that are sustainable and offer choice.
Evidence of current unmet needs and inequalities continues to shape our work, particularly the voice of clients whose needs, experiences and aspirations remain central to our purpose.
Ultimately these commitments allow us to develop practical solutions to issues of social concern. We would not be able to fulfil our commitments without the dedication of staff, volunteers and Trustees.
There is no one single answer to the challenges we face, therefore new ways of working and new conversations need to flourish if innovation and ideas are to be harnessed. In meeting these challenges Caer Las is committed to delivering quality support services to vulnerable people, and increasing our capacity for learning with and from others. We are also committed to forging links between research and practice to achieve a greater understanding of vulnerability and exclusion. We are also committed to working with people to restore their self worth and increase their capacity for self determination and well being, through
Client contributions are also invaluable to this and they remain vital to our success. We are also grateful to our funders, partners and supporters. Finally I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to our work throughout the year. We look forward to working with you all in the coming year, as we continue to strive to improve the lives of the people we work with. Warm Wishes
Joanne McNally Director
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hip
Directors welcome
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Service profiles and Achievements
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Caer Las has 35 years experience of tackling the causes and effects of social exclusion. We work alongside vulnerable people enabling them to bring lasting change to their lives. Our dedicated staff worked with over 1000 individuals in the following services.
Housing and Preventing Homelessness Supported Shared Housing
Young Persons Scheme
These Projects are available in Swansea, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire. One to one support is aimed at working with individuals to develop necessary skills to manage a home and work towards greater independence.
Aimed at preventing homelessness, this Neath Port Talbot service offers 16 - 25 year olds advice on establishing and maintaining a tenancy.
Throughout the year, 66 people were supported, average length of support 21 months.
Support Schemes These projects are available in Cardiff, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. Advice and assistance is given to tenants who are experiencing difficulties in managing their tenancy. Staff also give emotional support to help clients improve their coping skills. In Cardiff, 85 individuals were supported, average length of support 11 months.
Staff work one-to-one with clients, offering practical assistance with budgeting and benefits as well as involving other support agencies where necessary. Throughout the year, 34 individuals were supported, average length of support 11 months.
Willow Project
(Formerly known as the Aberfa Project) A Swansea based project that provides housing and intensive support to people with complex mental health issues.
In Swansea, 65 individuals were supported, average length of support 19 months.
As well as having their own self contained apartments, clients are given around the clock support to maintain their physical and mental well being.
In Neath Port Talbot, 30 individuals were supported, average length of support 17 months.
Throughout the year, 7 individuals were supported, average length of support 36 months.
UPPORT Client Story
David was homeless following a marriage breakdown. He needed accommodation and he also needed support to maintain his alcohol treatment programme and address significant debt problems. David moved into our Supported Shared Housing. With support from staff, he was able to re-learn daily living skills, remain free from alcohol, and access the benefits he was entitled to.
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e r a c d n a e u l a v y l e n i u n e “We g e work with� w e l p o e p e h t or
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The team also advocated on behalf of David enabling him to pay off his debts and more importantly they secured David his own accommodation with the Local authority. David now has a full time job and remains settled.
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Advice and Advocacy Outreach Project The Swansea Outreach Project is for single people who are homeless or may be at risk of homelessness. Our knowledgeable team provides friendly drop in sessions, opportunities for group activities, as well as community based surgeries. They offer advice on housing, benefits, finance, substance misuse and setting up and establishing a home. Throughout the year, 214 individuals were assisted for an average period of 10 months.
Routes Project Our Routes Project in Neath Port Talbot is for people aged 16 and over who are experiencing difficulties and would like help getting their lives back on track. We help people work out what they need to do and identify opportunities and services to meet these needs. Throughout the year, 192 individuals were assisted for an average period of 5 months.
Probation/Housing Advice Based in Bridgend, this service offers advice to probation clients who are experiencing difficulties in accessing accommodation. Staff provide advice on housing rights, as well as one to one case work support.
SECU Throughout the year, 65 individuals were assisted, for an average period of 4 months.
e u r t e h t e r a s t n ie l c e v ie l e b e “W experts in finding ways forward�
Client Story Jane met the Outreach team at one of their surgeries at Cefn Coed hospital. She had attempted suicide as a result of her relationship breakdown and drug misuse. The Outreach team were able to get Jane on the benefits she was entitled to and place her in temporary accommodation. Without this Jane would have been homeless when discharged from hospital. They also provided emotional support throughout this period.
URITY The team eventually secured Local Authority Housing for Jane and made sure on going tenancy support services were available to her. Jane remains involved in activities at the Outreach base and is progressing well.
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Jane’s needs were complex resulting in further suicide attempts. However staff did not give up on her and they continued to work with Jane increasing her confidence and her ability to cope.
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Connect Project
Personal Development Client Story
Based in Swansea, this membership project offers a weekly programme of events and activities for vulnerable people and people with continuing mental health difficulties. Connect is a safe and welcoming community where members socialise and learn and share new skills.
ACHIE
Alan’s wife died and he couldn’t cope which resulted in him experiencing a breakdown which was further compounded by excess use of alcohol.
Alan was referred to Connect and with the encouragement of staff, he eventually gained the confidence to try out new things. By doing this, Alan discovered a previously untapped passion for creative arts and quickly began to acquire new skills. Alan has now taken up a further education course at Swansea Art College in sculpting.
Opportunities to explore new experiences through workshops offering a range of arts and crafts, IT training, alternative therapies and other activities are also available. Throughout the year, Connect supported 302 members, average length of support 48 months.
Basic Skills
Our Basic Skills project provides training in areas such as IT, literacy, and numeracy to clients based in Swansea. The activities take place in a safe and supported environment allowing clients to succeed and get the most out their learning. Throughout the year, 133 individuals were supported to acquire new skills, average length of learning support 48 months.
Celebrating success and looking to the future
Caer Las successfully acquired grants under the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme. Three staff members visited three different European projects to learn new techniques in their areas of work and experience services for excluded groups in a European context. A longstanding inquiry group of clients is currently exploring their idea of designing, developing and managing a restorative centre as an alternative to hospitalisation. Caer Las were approved as an Examining Centre by London Trinity College, for the skills for life examinations. This year also saw the dissolving of the partnership between Caer Las and Tai Esgyn at the Aberfa Project. Caer Las remains responsible for the residential element of the Project, soon to be renamed the Willow Project. Capacity to deliver intensive support provision at the Project increased from 5 to 6, with further expansion being planned.
The theme of the annual staff conference was participation and valuable ideas for new developments and practice were generated. The Board undertook a full review of systems and processes concerned with the overall direction, effectiveness and accountability of the Charity. This review focussed on Corporate, Strategic and Impact Governance. The strategic frameworks for European Convergence funding has been published which could offer enhanced opportunities for clients. Currently three project ideas have been registered under different strategic frameworks Plans for diversification through Social Enterprise development have begun to take shape. A member of the senior management team will be dedicated to this development including generating and “testing� potential ideas for further action. The appointment of a Research Manager will now enable us to explore the development of a centre for Social Research and Social Action. This will include the development of Research Pilot Projects to influence social policy and explore new opportunities for clients.
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IEVE
Caer Las achieves many outcomes in a 12 month period some of which have been highlighted in this report. So much more also happens including facing challenges and planning for the future and below are a few examples of how we try to meet this complex agenda.
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financial review Income for the year was ÂŁ1,700,000
Incoming Resources Welsh Assembly Government Welsh Assembly 83% Government
83%
Levels of reserve enable continuation of operations for a defined period if funds were to cease. Reserves will also be used as leverage to attract new and innovative service developments. All the Charities assets are free of borrowing. A copy of the full financial statements can be obtained from the registered office Caer Las, The Customs House, Cambrian Place, Swansea SA1 1RG
Other
1%
Other
European Social Funding European 5% Social Funding Investment Income 5%
1%
3%
Investment Income Rent and3% Service Charges Rent 8% and Service Charges
8%
Resources Expended
Direct Charitable Activities Direct Charitable 97% Activities
97%
Governance Costs Governance 3% Costs
3%
Tel: 01792 646071 Registered Office Address: The Customs House, Cambrian Place, Swansea SA1 1RG Registered Charity No: 504094 Company limited by guarantee No: 01195549. Registered in Wales as Cymdeithas Caer Las.
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