Opportunity and Change

Project Leader: Zoe Kasujja Project Team Members: Zoe Kasujja; Sarah Norris; Debbie Royle Number of Clients served: 21 (11M, 10F) Number of New Cases: 12 Partner organisations: This project is managed in partnership with Framework Housing Association.

Project Description

Opportunity and Change is a support programme for people with multiple and complex needs. Supported by a Personal Navigator (caseworker), participants on this programme engage with an individually tailored and holistic package of support, training and therapeutic interventions. By increasing their self-confidence and teaching them new skills, the ultimate aim is to help these participants become socially and economically included, through access to education, training and employment. It is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme and is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Project Successes

• 9 participants were settled into permanent accommodation • 3 participants have been attending regular counselling sessions • 6 participants took part in the Loudspeaker arts programme at Nottingham Contemporary • 7 participants completed the “Skills Plus for Change” training programme, aimed at helping to develop life-skills and confidence

Plans and hopes for the coming year

The Opportunity and Change programme will come to an end in March 2023, so the final 12 months of the project will be focused on helping the final participants reach their training and employment goals. This will include enrolling them onto ESOL courses and helping at least 5 into education and 3 into employment.

Appreciation: we would like to thank…

Framework Housing Association, Improving Lives, Nottingham Contemporary.

Sedia is a refugee who had newly arrived in Nottingham at the time of her referral to Opportunity and Change. She had recently lost her father, who she had been caring for. She had no benefits set up of her own, no other income, and had a large housing debt. She was also very depressed due to her situation and the recent loss of her father. Her Opportunity and Change Personal Navigator immediately helped her to start a Universal Credit claim and made sure she was in receipt of the housing benefit due to her. She also started an application for a Personal Independence Payment. Sedia had lots of health and mobility issues, and her Personal Navigator requested an assessment with the Care Act Team. She was also referred to an Occupational Therapist, which led to a review of her private accommodation. Home adaptations have now been made to make her life easier, including the installation of a rail by the front step, and equipment for the bathroom. Her Personal Navigator arranged for her to start seeing a counsellor, offered by Improving Lives. She has been attending regularly since November. She also attended “Skills Plus for Change” sessions run by Opportunity and Change, which covers topics such as improving confidence, and managing money effectively. She was very isolated at the time of her referral to Opportunity and Change. However she has now started to make social connections and engage with activities. She has recently been attending the Loudspeaker arts programme, based at Nottingham Contemporary art gallery. She has also been referred to English classes at Futures, which will further improve her confidence. With her improving mental health, she is keen to get more involved in her new community, and her next plan is to look for some voluntary work.