St Petroc's Association 25 Year Report by Paula Johnson

St Petrocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society Silver Jubilee Review

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St Petrocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society Helping single homeless people in Cornwall for

25 years 1986-2011

The St Petroc’s Timeline Chief Executive’s Report

Chairman’s Report

I hope that this anniversary report will allow everyone to have an insight into the history of the St Petroc’s Society. We have contributions from associates throughout the years, who comment upon the work and the reasons behind the need for the Society.

The history of St Petroc’s shows that over the years innovation has played a key role in our service provision, the most recent additions being the training services at Breadline in Penzance and the new Private Landlord project in St Austell, both of which without the support of local communities could not hope to succeed.

For 25 years St Petroc’s has serviced its local community with distinction, as it has called upon the skills of all its staff, volunteers and board members to ensure each and every client is treated with respect and dignity to move forward in their lives.

The role of chair carries a significant responsibility and one I am happy to accept. My predecessors have all served with success and ensured that the Society continues to carry out its mission statement. The current St Petroc’s is an organisation all my predecessors would I feel sure be impressed with and satisfied that their hard work is continued every day.

Services have developed over time to meet the needs of the individuals and everyone associated with the Society can celebrate this anniversary as it continues to be innovative and relevant as possible in how we carry out our duties.

We have come through some difficult times over the years, but have always faced up to the challenges thanks to a Board which has been clear in its leadership and direction and Steve Ellis, a Chief Executive beyond compare.

The numbers of those contacting or being referred to the Society are beyond recognition from those early days in the 1980’s. Yet the common thread throughout our 25 years history lies in the values placed upon the individual and their requirements and the Society’s ability to form partnerships, create new policies and understand its community, which has contributed to its success.

Geoff Tate, Chairman 2008 to date

Those of us who currently are the custodians of St Petroc’s are grateful to all those past staff and in particular Board members for giving us the foundations and guidance to ensure that their values are as important today as they were 25 years ago in the pursuit of Social Justice. On behalf of all those who have suffered the loneliness and isolation of homelessness can I say a huge thank you to all the contributors to the work of the Society; without support the sadness of homelessness would be a far greater hurdle to overcome. Steve Ellis, Chief Executive 1999 to date

Society founded, Registered with FSA.

St Petroc’s Society Limited: How it all started and as it prepared to become a Charity in 1986

16th April 1986

Daphne Worraker and Shane Bradbrook were two stalwart supporters. Support came from the Social Responsibility Committee, which I joined, and when Bishop Richard Llewellin became their Chairman in 1985, as the new Bishop of St Germans he was interested and involved in both St Petroc’s and Freshfield drugs advice, (another of Mike’s projects that grew to maturity). Peter Durnford was most helpful with support and advice, and used his numerous contacts to great effect. Representatives from the Salvation Army and the Baptist church were generous with their support as was Father Ken Rogers. The CAB, various social workers and the Probation Service also played their part in the early years.

This document is a factual account of the first two years of the project – from a meeting of interested parties on 26 February 1985 to our first AGM on 17 June 1987. The minutes will be somewhere, but I don’t have access to them. The Day Book was where I kept records of telephone calls, lists of those invited to meetings and events, ideas and decisions made by the core committee. Anyone may see it – I’ve had a wonderful time down Memory Lane researching this piece. Sad, too, because Ben Cartlidge, who carried out the bulk of the search for suitable accommodation, died recently of motor neurone disease. He gave tireless support as well as practical assistance (surveying, drawing up plans, involving estate agents, District Valuer and Carrick planners, who all ended up suggesting suitable houses).

On the 1st May 1985 I opened the first St Petroc’s Society Ltd bank account with the Gateway Building Society, with £115 made up from our lunch meeting donations and cheques from Church Action for the Unemployed (£25), Bishop Peter (£50) and Michael Palmer (£20). During this period we (Michael, Ben and I) looked at 23 houses, and Ben produced preliminary plans for many of these. Close contact was kept with Devon and Cornwall Housing Association who were instrumental in backing our interest then offers for houses we looked at and surveyed in our search from 1985-7.

In 1984 the homelessness problem in the Truro area was becoming ever more serious and that autumn the Revd Michael Palmer, about to be appointed Chaplain to Bishop Peter Mumford, asked me to head up a Housing Project for Truro. The local church leaders of most denominations had long been exercised on the subject, often caring for the single homeless at their homes or on church premises. Michael Palmer was the Secretary of the Diocesan Committee for Social Responsibility, and its Chairman Bishop (Brother) Michael of St Germans agreed to host our first large meeting of interested parties in February 1985. We had consulted the Rev Peter Durnford, and I had conducted much research and held discussions with just about everyone involved in housing the single homeless (and those who did not the local district councils and housing associations did not provide services).

Considerable time and energy was expended on our behalf by Derek Churchward, manager of the DHSS, who directed our efforts for financial backing towards Schedule 5 funding, a complicated process which came to nothing. The Director of Social Services was Richard Lingham who also networked and strove to set us up with the funding, but the road to securing a house via the Housing Association route was doomed to failure every time because of the delay in decision-making written into the system by the Housing Corporation rules. Our vendors would inevitably give up on us, as they did with our major hope – a house in Treyew Road where the NSPCC gazumped us.

Three of us: Michael Palmer (priest/social worker), Ben Cartlidge (architect) and myself (occupational therapist) formed the core group, and it was over a convivial lunch on 20th March 1985 in Michael and Nettie Palmer’s flat at Lis Escop that the four of us settled on the name ‘St Petroc’. Bishop Peter Mumford gave his blessing, although he would have preferred to call it ‘St Keyne’.

This disappointment was the final straw and led to Richard Lingham coming up with a better plan – that worked! I handed over the Chair to him and everyone knows the rest of the story. If I have forgotten anyone who invested time and effort in those first two years, please forgive me.

Paul Parkin gave his accountancy skills and John Bray, solicitor, was instrumental in our registration as a housing association allied to the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association.

Priscilla Reeve, Founder Chair of St Petroc’s 1985 - 1987

17th June 1987

First AGM

The Early Years I am delighted to have the opportunity of congratulating all of you at St Petroc’s as you celebrate the Silver Jubilee of your foundation. It has been a particular joy for me to watch the way the fledgling St Petroc’s with which I was so closely involved at the start, as chair of the Truro Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility, develop and flourish over the years. I well remember the early disappointments and heartache that those of us on the original steering committee experienced when faced with the ever increasing and distressing problem of homelessness in Cornwall. In a volatile housing market, suitable premises were snapped up by others before we had time to finalise the official paperwork for grant funding. In desperation a group of us offered to meet the set-up costs ourselves, an act of faith itself! Well this did the trick, and Alexandra Terrace became ours. In due course, and with the help of an interest free loan from Cornwall County Council, the sponsors were repaid and our first group home quickly filled to capacity.

Hopes and Frustrations St Petroc’s Society originated in the early 1980s, in response to the all too evident plight of single homeless people attracted by Truro’s apparent prosperity who found that places to stay were increasingly scarce as property values rose. For some years, the Rev Peter Durnford had provided refuge at St Just in Roseland, and Truro churches frequently gave shelter in church porches or in severe weather at church halls. That experience spurred Canon Ken Rogers and Rev. Peter Staples to campaign for proper facilities, so a task group was formed, with representatives from all denominations, together with social services, the NHS, local housing agencies and Social Security. In 1983 the project was adopted by the then Bishop of St.Germans, Bishop Brother Michael Fisher and his team of Fransiscan brothers. By 1985, the indefatigable Rev. Michael Palmer, as Diocesan Chaplain for Social Responsibilities became its secretary and Priscilla Reeve, a trained Occupational Therapist, was appointed as Chairman. With a small grant from a CofE charity, the embryonic St Petroc’s Society began to explore financing possibilities through links with the Devon & Cornwall Housing Association.

At first it was staffed by volunteers, but in due course a salaried warden was found, and later when other homes were opened, an overall manager was appointed. Now twenty five years later you have six homes, a resettlement service, a day centre and a well deserved reputation for excellence in your field.

Public support was attracted by such fund raising activities as a sleep-out on the Cathedral steps in mid-winter. The true extent of need was publicised after a review of the number of homeless persons locally, conducted jointly by housing, Police, Social Services and other agencies. Several churches adopted St Petroc’s for their goodwill collections and within a year there were sufficient funds to start the evaluation and survey of potential premises. Professional services were mostly given freely or at minimal cost by interested architects, surveyors, estate agents and solicitors several of whom were local church members. This support network steadily drew in additional expertise from the fire services, commerce, media and public relations.

It is particularly gratifying for me, as well as having the privilege of being the first President of St Petroc’s, that the Society was very much a Christian initiative bearing the name of one of the most Cornish of Saints. And what wonderful local support you continue to enjoy from the parishes and faith communities of all denominations the length and breadth of the county, as well as from many other people of goodwill. Well done indeed St Petroc’s! I wish you every success for the next twenty five years, and may God bless you all.

However. property prices were increasing rapidly, and with social security lodging allowances limited to just £70 per person per week, it became essential to buy a house as soon as possible. Several Truro properties were appraised in 1984/5, notably in Ferris Town and

Bishop Richard Llewellin, First President 1987 - 1993

Alexandra Terrace, Truro opened.

1988

Treyew Road, but each time St Petroc’s lost the race to commercial competitors, mainly because the national scheme for funding housing associations was complex and slow. The most frustrating event was when the offer of a grant came just days after the very suitable house in question was sold to another charity – for its offices! In l985 the committee also had to find the costs of formal incorporation under the Industrial Provident Societies Act. Precious funds were spent, both on setting-up costs and the abortive projects, and it began to seem that after three years’ toil the main objective was becoming less and less achievable.

house was visited, initially surveyed and valued – and, perhaps most significantly, the sellers were keen for the project to succeed! All the stops were then pulled out to secure the capital quickly, but again the official formula proved too slow, even though the County Council had kindly promised an interest free loan via Social Services as a deposit. Bishop Peter Mumford and Richard Lingham now pursued a course they had regarded as an emergency fall-back position. They wrote a joint letter to twelve people in Cornwall asking if they might provide short-term interest-free loans to secure the purchase. Within days eight of the twelve gave their commitment and the four others were all willing to act in reserve!

The ‘Go for It’ Years In mid-1986, the Bishop of Truro, Peter Mumford, had to take stock of the rapidly growing range of social responsibility commitments in his Diocese. He decided that a further impetus should be given to St Petroc’s work, but that if a project could not be achieved in the next twelve months, there were other priorities queuing for support. His words to Richard Lingham, the incoming Chair of the newly incorporated St Petroc’s Society, were “it really needs either to succeed - or to be given a decent Christian burial!” A team of Society members then re-appraised all the planning, acquisition and adaptation requirements and projected operational costs. They concluded that although the Social Security weekly lodging allowance was still only £70 per person, and despite steeply rising property prices, it could just be possible to sustain a house, but only if one were found soon and all its staff cover and management needs were undertaken by volunteers. The newly appointed Bishop of St Germans, Richard Llewellin gave wise advice. He believed firmly that St Petroc’s should take its first steps in faith and that every year a house managed to keep its doors open should be regarded a year of success, even though it might depend on a handto-mouth existence. However, the snail-pace national funding system remained an apparently insuperable stumbling block at a time when fewer and fewer potential premises came on the market.

Alexandra Terrace, Truro

Thus prayers were answered, and Alexandra Terrace was purchased in a matter of weeks. The purchase and adaptation costs were covered by a bank mortgage, with the County Council’s loan as deposit and the eight private benefactors were repaid. The house opened its doors to residents in February l988, with running costs covered by Social Security lodging allowances and charitable fundraising, including from the Church Urban Fund. All staffing, cleaning, maintenance and household management was provided entirely by volunteers. Committee members or friends slept in each night on a rota basis and organised the evening meal cooked by residents or brought in by a team of volunteers. That face-to-face experience was most rewarding and provided invaluable experience as St Petroc’s continued to grow.

Eastertime providentially brought the invaluable offer from Father Serge Middleton, an experienced social worker and priest, to act as unpaid resident Warden. His time off continued to be covered by volunteers, but as St Petroc’s gained credibility, it became eligible for short-term funding support from other official sources relating to manpower, training and employment. Thus it became possible in May1988 to recruit David Harper, a qualified CAB worker as assistant to the Warden and in the Autumn, John Wadeson, who was waiting to train as a nurse, took over from Father Serge.

Success at Last! In 1987, St Petroc’s Treasurer, the late Shane Bradbrook, heard that a particularly suitable house in Alexandra Terrace, Truro might become available. Before it was fully advertised the

1989 Falmouth for Orders Securing the Future The Society was learning some valuable lessons on how to present a winning case for capital and manpower funding, but support for other running costs remained a major problem until David Harper, through his CAB contacts found a way of obtaining increased benefits for each resident through the recently revised Housing Benefit formula. By the end of l988, the whole project had moved onto a sounder financial footing, which would allow for longer-term commitments and begin to reward staff more appropriately. In early Spring1989, interdenominational groups in Newquay and St Austell showed firm interest in establishing local houses. The experience at Truro was freely shared but it was clear that each new house would have to be self-sufficient in terms of financial commitments and day-to-day support. Meanwhile, at Alexandra Terrace it was all too evident that the premises could not meet demand and that a further house should be found. Committee members were determined to stick to the principle that noone should be turned away from St Petroc’s door without some practical help, even when the house was full. They decided that alternative support for homeless people should be developed, so at the year’s end, again through short-term funding, Rita Hampton started as Homeless Care Worker, based at Diocesan House.

A maiden voyage, Falmouth Roads to Suez, Egypt A junior seaman on a torpedo trip The cargo – self pity and many an alcohol sip A container vessel, his very own ship. Self-made wave, fuelling many a storm No sense of navigation, lost, all forlorn Regular a breakdown, at the mercy of the sea Davy Jones Locker was a-beckoning he. Powerless and listing she did slowly submit Bow down, stern raised, to the seabed she slipped. What was a first was his last trip Last orders please, and abandon ship.

The continuing success of the Truro house gave confidence to the projects in Newquay and St Austell and to a feasibility study at Bodmin. Experience was shared with a group in Penzance, whose members were less tied to church activities, and they decided to go their own way rather than under the Society’s umbrella. The Newquay house opened in July 1990 and the second Truro house in December. The rapid increase in management responsibilities, particularly staff supervision, support and training needs now amounted to more than the committee members could properly fulfil, so the major decision to appoint Rita Hampton as Manager was made in November l990.

The CADA lifeboat was close at hand Rescued him up and headed for land. What was a first was his last trip Transferred alongside St Petroc – a recovery ship.

Richard Lingham retired in June l991, and since then his successors have been of varied denominations and faiths, or none. The Warden of the Newquay hostel, Andrew Painton, took over as St Petroc’s Manager in June 1992. Non-residential support work had increased rapidly since the appointment of a Resettlement Counsellor in July l991, but the demand for residential places still grew and the St Austell house was opened in June l992 soon to be followed by the house in Bodmin

With time to recover and health well-restored They finally docked and he headed ashore Lost his sealegs, lost his ship, lost the habit to alcohol sip Found a shipmate, houseboat to refit Found an ever loving fellowship.

Thus, in a few short years St Petroc’s grew from a scarcely viable aspiration into a securely based organisation. In the early years, its committee members, the supporters and staff were firmly sustained by the belief that “one step enough for me” would underpin that growth through faith, hope and charity. Richard Lingham, Chairman 1987 - 1991

That junior seaman, his tempest did meet Now becalmed in still waters, can commodore the fleet. Able Seaman, Chris Miller with gratitude to St Petroc’s

Tremayne Road, Truro opened. St Georges Road, Newquay opened.

1990

St Petroc’s Society - 25 Years The St Petroc’s Society is so well established now and is known and respected throughout Cornwall and we have much to celebrate after 25 years.

commitment of the staff of the St Petroc’s Society. At the heart of St Petroc’s work, always, is meeting the needs of the homeless, as shown by the the following quotes from clients: ‘Being homeless knocks the confidence out of you’ ‘Because I am homeless it is difficult to keep myself and my clothes clean and so I can’t get a job’ ‘When you are homeless you feel like being pushed along rather than making your own decisions’ ‘Being homeless leads to loss of self respect’.

I would like to let you know something about the “pioneering days” in Newquay. A “Churches Together in Newquay” committee met and took the bold step in 1990 of buying a 7 bedroom house in St George’s Road, Newquay, (after consultation and cooperation from neighbours), in order to meet the visible needs of those sleeping rough in our town.

May God continue to bless the vision and work of the St Petroc’s Society. Revd Peter Davy, Chairman 1999 - 2000

Our first warden was Andrew Painton and its running followed the pattern of the Truro house established 4 years earlier. In the early days, we encountered many financial difficulties, but the house was purchased with a mortgage supported by a loan from St Georges Rd, Cornwall County Council and other organisations and we became Newquay a Limited Company. Eventually it was found to be expedient for the ownership and finances to be taken over by the St Petroc’s Society, Truro. However, a strong supporting Newquay Committee continued. I was involved at the out-set of this pioneering stage, first under the chairmanship of the Revd John Slee, then the Revd Hugh Williams followed by the Revd Richard Atkins. I became chairman of the Newquay Friends’ Committee in March 1996 and remained in the position until Dr Gillian Turner took over in 2008. Newquay Fiends have been, and still are, a very supportive team, visiting the house and raising huge sums, for both the house and for the Society.

I, Michael, was ‘High-Jacked’ on to/into St Petroc’s by Rev. Michael Palmer – Vicar and Boat Master of Devoran – (a super article on him and Nettie in a recent ‘Classic’ Boat). When inspecting Tremayne Road (T2), prior to purchase, I made the mistake of sitting on a window seat – most undignified for the Chairman and much to the entertainment of all!

After a number of years on the Management Committee of the Society in Truro, I was asked to chair the committee, which I did in 1999. Tremayne Rd, Truro

Some personal memories – ‘sleep–outs’ in Newquay and Truro - caravan location at The Royal Cornwall Show – St Petroc’s ‘Open Day’ at St Michael’s Mount – the struggle to find a suitable site for Truro HQ and the success of the site at City Road – welcoming Bishop Roy as our new President – the enormous task of packeting and sending out the Christmas Appeal envelops organised by Margaret Rail and its eventual wonderful success - Carol Services – book of Poems written by clients – appointing Steve Ellis as part-time relief house manager!

Maggie Tubbs who was having ‘neighbour problems’ in Newquay – then snow fell overnight – she woke in the night with the sound of shovels and brushes ‘clear the pavements and path to each of the houses’ – neighbour problem solved.

T2 had some awkward neighbours. (Fortunately) next door lost a couple of slates and had wet in. A ladder and tools were scrounged – repairs effected – problem solved. Again, T2, had a chef resident – for a while plenty of food cakes for Truro Coffee mornings! Keep up the good work, God Bless.

The work of St Petroc’s continues to change, develop and grow, and this is only possible through the generosity of the people of Cornwall and through the dedication and

Michael Ludlow

Resettlement Service established.

1991 One young man I took in was convinced he was possessed by an evil spirit, so I called in the Revd Robert Law, County Excorcist for the Anglican Church, who (to use his words) cleaned him out, an interesting experience to say the least.

“We are out of milk Mike”, a gruff voice welcomed me on my first official day in post, 8th July 1991, “well I had better go next door and buy some”, “I will go Mike” said Colin, an ex RAF chap from Lincoln, whom I had taken in on the Sunday before. “How did the sleep out go?” “Fine” I had spent the night on the steps of Truro Cathederal on my first St Petrocs sleepout. There were many more to come, sleep outs in Truro, St Austell, Newquay. So that was the start of 14 years at T1 - Alexandra Road, Truro.

Then there was Brian W. who was with me between the ages of 16 to 19, would get resettled, then things would go pear shaped and would return to T1. He is settled now with his own family in Truro, I see him quite often, he has turned into a very nice guy. The only downside: he still looks 16.

When I left T1 in 2005 to work at our office in Penzance at the Breadline Centre, I had taken in 693 people, out of those I only had to ask 49 people to leave for behaviour unbefitting of ladies and gentlemen. I never lost anyone at T1 (i.e. died) I heard over the years several had died elsewhere, a sad case was Paul a talented musician, there should be the St Petrocs Anthem floating around Head Office, written by Paul, and played by him at a recital given at the Church Hall at Higher Town, I was there. Paul moved out of T1, with his old collie dog Arthur, to a small cottage on the outskirts of Truro.

In fact it is quite normal for me to be walking through Truro at weekends and be greeted by men and women in their thirties who were with me as normal stroppy teenagers, at times I feel like Mr Chips. We had great times at Christmas. When late night shopping started on Wednesday nights, we would build carboard cities out of boxes scrounged, and with the residents dressed as Santa Claus, Christmas elves and faires, including the dogs, we would rattle collection boxes. We were on Spotlight TV a few times, often joined by the Rev Mike Palmer, Vicar of Devoran Church, who was responsible for St Petroc’s coming into being.

One night a fire broke out at their cottage, Paul got out ok, but realsing Arthur was still inside went back in to get him. The roof collapsed and the two old friends died together.

Another episode that sticks was February 14th, Valentines Day 1994. A heavy snowfall hit Truro, roads were impassable and it became very cold. I suspected that we could be in for a busy night at T1, I was right. I stayed in the hostel, around 8pm a homeless couple turned up and were bedded down in the lliving room. By 2am I had taken in another four men, the last to arrive was frozen. After we got him out of his clothes and into a hot bath, his jeans stood up on their own for 10 mins. The residents were brilliant: beds were made up, including one in the bath, packed out with blankets. Mike H. and Mike W. manned the kitchen for a week, cooking all meals for 12 people.

On the subject of dogs, I took in 33 dogs with their owners, I remember Aryan a young man I was able to get into Kings College Cambridge with his therapy dog Poppy; Aryan another talented young musician, is now a tutor at Bournemouth Uni. Swiftly moving from dogs to cats, September 1991 Lily a tortoiseshell cat moved into T1, and became a well known personality in the area, most often seen asleep in the living room window, she was housecat for 10 years until dying of kidney failure. There was an odd assortment of pets, rats, mice, snakes etc, and a Vietnamese potbellied piglet. When other residents heard that a pig was moving into T1 said what about the smell? I replied that the pig would get used to it..

These are a few stories of course there were 693. 2005 I left T1 and worked at the Breadline Centre in Penzance as a Resettlement Worker. Frontline working was a new challenge, getting the homeless off the streets of Penzance. I have enjoyed my time here, and on Friday 27th of May 2011 I finished with St Petroc’s, I am 66 this year. It has been a privilege to have served.

I took many young people (i.e. 16/17 year olds) the two that gave me grey hairs were Jo and Nichola identical twin sisters aged 17. They could not live together, could not live apart: rows “she nicked my best jeans” “well keep your room locked” “I cant lock my sister out!”. You could not win, both are now married with children of their own.

Mike Petit 1991 - 2011

Eliot Road, St Austell opened.

1992

Staff and Board Members say goodbye to Mike Petit after 19 years of service to the Society

New President, The Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of St Germans appointed. Castle Street, Bodmin opened.

1993

work with the single homeless in Cornwall, and of the growing esteem in which Saint Petroc’s was held.

The St Petroc’s Society was already six years old when I arrived in Cornwall as Bishop of St German’s and took over the Presidency. One of the first things I did was to visit the houses, meet the residents and discover their enormous gratitude to Saint Petroc’s for the security it gave them and the opportunity to rebuild lives which had been shattered for one reason or another. St Petroc’s was still expanding. The prospect of each new house was greeted by suspicion from neighbours (I remember this being particularly true in Bodmin). A lot of patient work was needed to persuade people that St Petroc’s brought benefits to the street they lived in and not a host of problems. What was wonderful was to discover (as at Bodmin at the time) that one or two opponents of the house soon became its biggest supporters as they discovered that the St Petroc’s residents were good neighbours and that their fears were unfounded.

28 Castle Street, Bodmin

It’s nearly twelve years since I left Cornwall. Among the farewell occasions there was one hosted by St Petroc’s at which I was presented with two beautiful engraved goblets. I shall use them this year to toast the silver jubilee of an organisation which has gone from strength to strength helping the single homeless in Cornwall. May this good work continue for as long as there are people to help.

The Right Revd Graham James, Lord Bishop of Norwich, President 1993 - 2000

We often fear what we don’t know. We sometimes want to keep the homeless and those who have fallen on hard times at arm’s length. St Petroc’s has not just helped its clients. It has helped Cornwall to become an even more compassionate county. Its work has gradually become acknowledged and respected because it’s often been pursued quietly but with great effectiveness.

Supported Accommodation An average of 100 people housed into St Petroc’s Supported Accommodation each year

I recall the St Petroc’s Christmas Appeal started in a small way. It seemed natural to ask the churches of Cornwall at Christmas to offer one or two of their collections to help the homeless. After all, Jesus was born to a couple who were temporarily homeless, and then quickly became migrants in another country. Year on year in the 1990s the response to the appeal grew. It was a reminder of the generosity of our church congregations towards

Over 1000 people have been housed permanently from Supported Accommodation

Head Office opened at Victoria Square, Truro. Supported Accommodation staff awarded Chartered Institute of Housing’s National Certificates.

1994 Let sleep slip from nocturnal shadows Slide insidious, beneath sheets Of yesterday’s news And steal fears furled tight in a doorway. Let it smother the trip trap Of the drunken troll Sweeten the stench of night’s gutter, Deflect the stinging terror Of hopelessness. Sarah Parry

Clients’ Voices “Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise that I received. After a needless, something of nothing argument with the relative who I was staying with, I found myself kicked out with nowhere to live and nowhere to go. I felt that the world was out to get me, “I felt like s**t!”

Come clouds Spare me a silver night Wrap stars in mist, expel The light. Lead me to sleep In a place I cannot see.

My parents had divorced some years earlier and had showed little if no interest in my life and neither were offering me any support at my greatest hour of need. My father laughed at me and slammed his door in my face, and my mother didn’t answer my calls. I felt that it was me against the world.”

Sarah Parry

Adam (2007/2008) 13

“Arriving in Truro penniless, with no home and unable to work due to my ongoing ill health, I was taken into St Petroc’s care, given my own bedroom and plenty of good healthy food to eat. I was not judged, but accepted along with all of my tears, troubles and traumas. What struck me most was the acceptance and care that staff have, yet each is treated with respect, dignity and humanity. Hostel Manager Graham helped each resident, through their own unique difficulties, and with his guidance and time, I saw and heard the respect he had given to us, being given back to him, in both word and deed as he helped these broken people find their self esteem and self worth again. I really shudder to think what could have happened to me and I know that other people feel the same. St Petroc’s cares, then goes forward and does something. It reaches out to those people the rest of the world crosses the road to avoid.” Ms S (1998/1999)

St Petroc’s receives commendation from National Housing and Town Planning Council for work with Special Needs Accommodation groups. Supported Lodging Scheme started. Start of formal working partnership with Cornwall Probation Service.

1995 “I ran away from Altarnum, on the edge of Bodmin Moor when I was 15 and went to London and Cardboard City. I was too young to claim benefit so I lived on what I could find in skips and hand-outs. I got £4 per week when I was 17 but spent most of that on tobacco. Staying on the streets led to me becoming an alcoholic – I got depressed and eventually dried out at a detox centre. I ended up in Tiverton, got married and had two sons but we fell out so I went back on the road and after a while headed back home to Cornwall. I was becoming sick again and when you are on the streets the police sometimes wake you up and move you on at 3am. The food is always old and it is very cold; it’s not healthy. I headed for Bodmin and went into the Citizens Advice Bureau. A man there rang St Petroc’s and said I was on the way. That was over a year ago – I went into a hostel then a caravan at Kenwyn and have been there ever since. It’s funny, but when you are on the street you don’t think about your problems. When you are settled everything catches up with you – I had a nervous breakdown at one stage.

A few words about my time with St Petroc’s Society I think that it was in 1987 that the warden of the Newquay house of St Petroc’s asked if I would consider doing relief duty warden at the Newquay house. It would then enable her to have a little rest time. I knew that she had been very busy since the house had opened and had little time away from her work in those early months of the Newquay house in operation. After discussing with my wife, Sheila, I agreed to offer myself to be relief warden with St Petroc’s Society. Thus began a most enjoyable period in my life, looking after the house and its residents, first as relief at Newquay, then later as relief at the houses at Truro and at Bodmin. It was a busy time too, being “head cook and bottle washer” in the various houses, but with patience and perhaps a few examples of `naval discipline’, having been a physical training instructor in the `Andrew’, we all seemed to get on pretty well. That is not to say that there were no awkward times but I tried to show that I could listen to problems they had and hopefully help them to overcome them. Residents at the Bodmin house seemed at times to be a little headstrong and on occasions I had to stay until late evening before I felt that it was o.k. to go home. But even there we did get on well with one another for most of the time. Eventually I had to retire. I look upon my time with St Petroc’s with happiness, joy, and a fulfilment of being allowed to help others. Long may the Society continue to be a means of assisting people through a period of perhaps rough time in their lives.

St Petroc’s has done me proud. Now I do voluntary work collecting for them. I feel I’m getting my life back together slowly. I’m about to move into my own council flat in Falmouth and I write to my sons and let them know how I am.”

Jim Cridland. 1987 - 1999

Terry – 1998/1999 14

St Petroc’s becomes distribution point for The Big Issue. Newquay Friends Group initiate ‘My Own Place’ scheme to help with rent deposits.

1996

You

My involvement with the society began in 1996 shortly after returning to Cornwall in ‘retirement’. I was invited on to the board and found myself Treasurer about a month later. My first duty was to receive the sale proceeds of the St Austell house, the sale of which was seen as a let down by friends in the town and not a propitious start to my involvement.

Where you are I will be If you are lost I will find you

If you smile I will catch the moment

However, I feel that I went out on a high as during my tenure we were able to move at long last into our present building. Looking back I don’t know how we operated out of the old offices and it is a tribute to the staff at the time that they kept going in conditions that were so bad and arguably dangerous. Finding the right site was itself a tortuous process with many false hopes raised and dashed and I have to acknowledge the tremendous part played by John Newey at this time. In fact looking back I believe that recruiting John to the board was my single most important contribution followed by the, and also Northumbria Consulting who helped to obtain better terms for our services from the various local authorities in which our houses were located.

If you ask I will answer

Our principle frustration at the time was being unable to find a house for Falmouth, being dogged by high property prices there and an outbreak of ‘nimbism’. This in spite of superb support from the local friends group.

And when you love I will be ready to be loved

My abiding memory, however, is of the people with whom I shared my time at St Petrocs. Disagreements which were few, were handled tactfully and the spirit and friendliness of everyone on the board made it a delight and privilege to be involved .

When you shed a tear I will comfort you

The Big Issue In the last three years a total of 116,417 issues were sold in Cornwall.

Joseph Dominic

George Miller, Treasurer 1996 - 2003

ReachOut initiative started.

1997 ReachOut The ReachOut service started in 1997. It was designed to enable St Petroc’s to provide resettlement services to those clients in remote or rural parts of the County. Initially operating in the north and east of the County the service has been expanded and now covers the entire County. During its time in operation the service has been funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Team and it is currently funded by the Cornwall Supporting People Team. The work of the ReachOut team is varied and often very demanding with staff working hard to build up the trust of clients who will not engage with the “system” normally. The sad fact is that each year the team sees more and more people on the streets of Cornwall. However, they are engaging more clients than ever and assisting them to access the services they need to move away from a life on the streets.

An Accountant’s Tale St Petroc’s is like an incurable disease. Once it has its hold on you all is lost! In 1997 I had my first day working at St P’s in a very part-time capacity and then it sucked me into the system. I have retired twice yet I am still involved on a voluntary basis! I think it is when you compare your own comfort of a warm bed, food on the table and a relatively organised life with that of someone who may be sleeping in a doorway and eating whatever they can find you realise that you cannot walk away. Here ends an accountant’s tale. Paul Hanage 1997 to date

“From the short time I have been at St Petroc’s I don’t feel that there are any changes that need to be made. The staff is always there to help and even though we sometimes have to wait our turn for this help we are seen to and helped as soon as a member of staff can do so. The facilities provided are also something that are not accessible on the streets and a shower or a wash is all we need at times just to feel human again.” James (2006/2007)

ReachOut 245% increase in clients since 1999 10% of clients were formally armed forces 18% of clients were female 51% assisted into accommodation

St Petroc’s recruits first Young Persons Worker supported by Comic Relief.

1998

“If it was not for outreach finding me I would not have found help and support as quickly as I did and I certainly would not have known what assistance was available. My experience has shown me that there are a lot of people who are in need of support and assistance however they can’t or don’t have the opportunity to access services. Outreach plays a very important and effective role with concern to individuals being able to access a number of wide ranging services. Their hard work, wealth of knowledge, close multi agency work ethic and reputation and respect from outside agencies helps to provide an essential service to individuals throughout Cornwall. The different services which serve the count all play a significant role and if it were not for the outreach team a lot of individuals would not be aware or able to learn about them and this improve their situations.”

Young Person’s Worker As the Society has tried to adapt to demographic changes within the County, one area of our work that continues to see increases, is that of young homeless people. The incidence of 16 – 17 year olds who become homeless has increased significantly over the last ten years. Our response is to have a dedicated young persons worker who works directly with all clients under the age of 18 and who advices on all clients under the age of 25, to ensure they are given the services they require to obtain suitable accommodation and adopt a stable lifestyle. We also try to achieve as much preventative work as possible, often acting as a broker with families, or employers, to ensure younger clients do not become homeless. The Young Person’s Worker also visits schools and colleges throughout the county, delivering awareness lectures on homelessness, drugs and alcohol, on average meeting with 2,500 pupils and students every year.

Young Person’s Worker During 2010 the Young Person’s Worker met with 4206 young people as part of St Petroc’s homelessness preventive programme.

Bill (2006/2007)

New President: The Right Revd Royden Screech Bishop of St Germans appointed. New Patrons: Lord and Lady St Levan. St Petroc’s Rent Deposit Bond Scheme starts.

1999

Messages From The President

2004/2005

1999/2000

Homelessness is not a popular issue. Many, particularly in Cornwall, prefer not to see it.

I was impressed by the commitment of staff and residents to move forward and the real sense of cooperation I experienced.

2005/2006 It is always a privilege to work with our volunteers and to experience something of their vision and commitment.

2000/2001

2006/2007

What amazed me most though, was the tremendous response to our Christmas Appeal, the highest sum yet produced by our supporters for the Society. What you have demonstrated by your generosity is that you value the people whom we seek to help and with whom we work.

The night time visit (of churches where there were sleep outs or vigils) brought home to me how lonely and isolated it must be to be out night after night. Covering so much of Cornwall in one night also reminded me of the extent of the work of St Petroc’s and how essential that is. 2007/2008

2001/2002

For me, homelessness and working to eradicate it is a matter of social justice.

I want to pay particular tribute to the dedication and hard work of the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly through what has been, in many ways, a difficult year.

2008/2009 Homelessness is not a single issue. All of those with whom we work and associate have stories to tell and having the space and time to listen to these stories is, it seems to me, as important as meeting the material needs of those with whom we work.

2002/2003 I remain proud to be associated with St Petroc’s as President and am continually thankful for all those I meet who are associated with it. The need continues to be as great as ever, so please go on giving your support to the work if you can.

2009/2010 It is really good that during this time of financial austerity the Society has continued to develop in such an imaginative way and continue to look to the future in its provision for, and service to, single homeless people of Cornwall.

2003/2004 It is, of course, a sign of the imperfections of society that an organisation like St Petroc’s is necessary.

The Right Revd Royden Screech, Bishop of St Germansm, President, 2000 to date

Newquay St Georges refurbished. New day centre in Truro identified. BBC Radio Cornwall broadcasts live interviews with homeless clients.

2000

My mate said go to St Petroc’s They will listen to you there They will give you a cup of coffee You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to

Truro Resource Centre

If you need socks or a bite to eat If you want to shout at someone or have a shower They always listen

3415 people interviewed since 2002 1137 new clients accessed the Truro Resource Centre

That bloke with the funny accent That really pretty girl That old guy with the glasses That girl who always smiles at you

217 clients permanently housed The shower has been used 6939 times

When in trouble go to St Petroc’s They always listen to you there They always listen to you there. Tony Fleet

Congratulations! Amazing to think that 25 years have gone by! – since those early days in St Paul’s Church, Porch and Crypt, Truro – where it all started for the homeless! (For St Petroc’s Society to begin!) Cannon Peter B Staples Vicar of St Paul’s 1980 - 2002 Board Member, 1988 - 2002

St Petroc’s is awarded a pilot scheme “SmartMove” Rent Deposit Bond Scheme by national charity CRISIS. Christmas appeal breaks £30,000 barrier.

2001 In the 18th Century, Hogarth completed a series of moral works including “Gin Street and Beer Lane” that shockingly and vividly depicted the serious problem of alcoholism and “Harlot’s Progress” which followed a young country girl’s descent into prostitution when she moved to the city. He did so in an attempt to open the eyes of, what he perceived as, a comfortably blinkered and self centred “society”. When I joined St Petroc’s Society in 2001, I recognised that I was equally as blinkered and that I was not alone in being so in our modern day and supposedly enlightened “society”. Life is thankfully and undoubtedly very much different than it was in the time of Hogarth. However, in walking though any major city or town in the UK today you would have to be blind not to recognise the fact that homelessness exists.

then short history and was about to enter a difficult period of change. Looking back, I think it was a ‘coming of age’. A practical and necessary transitional phase with a new Manager at the helm and a fresh vision of the future whilst retaining and gripping firmly to its heart the original mission statement of those who set it up in the first place.

For me, my first day in the Society’s old Victoria Square office certainly opened my eyes. One has to ask, how many see but fail to fully appreciate and understand the problem with its many and varied reasons for homelessness today. Ken Loach’s docudrama “Cathy Come Home”, which tells the bleak tale of Cathy who loses her home, husband and eventually her child was his attempt to make society aware and gain some understanding of the problem when first shown on television in 1966. It did have an effect, one of the major consequences being the formation of the housing charity ‘Shelter’, but for society in general it was soon just one of those programmes and soon forgotten.

When I arrived at the Victoria Square office in 2001 for an interview for the position of Young Persons worker, I was left seriously questioning was this really where I wanted to work. It appeared to be chaotic and certainly the members of staff were almost indistinguishable from the service users. Although it continued to feel somewhat chaotic at times, I did eventually come to understand and recognise it was a sort of “managed” chaos. That, at that stage in the Society’s development and in that particular setting, was all it could be and what mattered was it worked and at its very core was the well being of the clients, the homeless.

When I walk into the Society’s present modern City Road base today, it is difficult to imagine how the Victoria Square office relatively successfully operated in its dark and somewhat depressing first floor rooms above a shop when I first joined. Certainly, one cannot compare the breadth, depth and quality of service provision available today that service users were offered then. What thankfully has not changed, though, and clearly remains undiminished, is the conviction, the commitment and the dedication of its Board and staff who offer that service. And that equally applies from those who manage the day to day finances to those who walk the streets looking for the homeless across the county. Each is a vital piece of the jigsaw we comfortably and warmly call ‘the Society’.

To enter the office, you first went down a short alley between two shops and up a rather steep dark narrow staircase to emerge into a long dark narrow corridor. There were three rooms to the right, and one larger room to the left. The first room on the right was the finance office into which three staff were seemingly shoe horned with individual cluttered desks covered with everything from computers to stacked folders and walls racked with files.

When I was a lad, growing up comfortably in a small rural community, the only homeless I knew of were the tramps who wandered the highways and byways sleeping in barns and hedges and who were euphemistically called ”Gentlemen of the Road”. They had a sort of respect and when I was a Boy Scout I was even taught some of the signs they left on walls indicating safe places to sleep or where you could get a free meal. How things have changed. A homeless person today tends to be immediately stigmatised as an alcoholic or drug addict and undeserving of consideration let alone respect. No barns and hedges for them. It is more likely to be a cardboard covering in a doorway or under a bridge.

The next room housed the Resettlement, SmartMove and Outreach teams, the Young Persons Worker, a Receptionist and the occasional hostel manager. In most cases, they all shared one of the five desks that left little space for anything else. The final room on the right was the Manager’s office into which Steve Ellis had recently

When I joined the Society in 2001 it was in the midst of the most challenging period of its

St Petroc’s opens new Resource Centre in City Road, Truro. Health for Homeless service starts providing GP based service from Truro Resource Centre. St Petroc’s takes on chair of Local Implementation Group for drugs and alcohol in Cornwall.

2002 but were essential if the Society was to move forward and be in a position to expand and develop and to take advantage of emerging opportunities for the benefit of those it served.

moved. Like the finance office, it was an oasis of calm and efficiency away from the hustle and bustle of the clients and their problems. The short area of corridor outside his door was just slightly wider so they had a small table and two chairs tucked into a corner for interviewing service users. It, again, was neither private nor spacious as a large steel storage cabinet resided there as well.

Ten years ago one could never have envisaged having a Doctor available on the premises for the benefit of service users, a clothing store, a shower, a laundry, private individual interview rooms etc. Then, such was more than one could dream.

Service users had the use of a much larger room to the left, the door to which was in line with the door to the main staff office. The idea being staff could watch what was happening in there. It had some tables and chairs with the provision for making coffee and tea just inside the door. Service users could spend time in there just to be off the street. Others came for advice and support. They took some managing and often there would be a situation that meant the signal (sticky buns) would go down the corridor to the finance staff to lock the door and keep your head down. For all that, it was a place of warmth, welcome, support and laughter. Although not ideal, there was nowhere else the street homeless could find that in the town.

From a personal point of view, and of someone who has now retired, I valued all the days I was part of a very professional and dedicated team both in Victoria Square and City Road. I am proud that I played some small part in the changes that have taken place and can think of no better place to have spent the last almost ten years of my working life. The St Petroc’s team helped and continue to help individuals who just needed some time, consideration and guidance when they had found themselves in a situation that any one of us could so easily find ourselves if fate dealt us a different hand. I was one of the lucky ones. I had loving parents, life opportunities, health and, as a Cornish seafarer would say, ‘a fair wind behind me’ throughout my life. When conditions changed, and they did many times, I always had many safe harbours to sail into with someone to welcome, assist and support me away from the raging sea of life. Unfortunately, far too many do not enjoy such a benefit in their lives and emotionally drown. Whilst that remains the case, charities such as St Petroc’s will remain essential.

There was a camera positioned to monitor who came in and left the building that usually provided a warning that one of the more difficult service users was arriving or when they had been successfully evicted from the building. Such was the behaviour of a few, and it was just a few, they would regularly be banned for a short period. Never permanently, as for many the Society was the only provision of advice and support available to them. Often, individuals would arrive under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances and behave in an inappropriate manner. Others would carry into the building an argument first started on the street and a fight would ensue. In fact, in many respects, that was the problem with the place. It could be an extension of the street for too many and prevented staff from supporting and assisting those who wanted and desperately needed their help.

Unfortunately, the social comment found in the paintings of Hogarth and their modern day equivalent so well produced and directed by Ken Loach still have a message that we must always be open too. We need to be aware that there are those who suffer in our society often through no direct fault of their own. Every individual deserves a place that is safe and secure, comfortable and warm, personal and private. Every one needs such a place that we all take so easily for granted. We call it home. A seemingly simple four letter word that encompasses within it so much that is important for living and the enjoyment of life but is ever becoming increasingly difficult for many to achieve. In that, nothing it seems has changed.

So when the opportunity came to move to a much larger building, preventing such problems was central when considering a new style of operating structure and so the layout of the building could be suitably adapted to suit. At the same time, it was also necessary to review, update and formalise existing processes and procedures throughout the operation as necessary. This then allowed the Society to comfortably step up a gear and offer potential funding bodies a more professional view of its many and varied provisions. This necessary step brought with it difficult challenges and required changes that were uncomfortable for some

Roger Baker 2001 - 2004 & 2005 - 2011

Floating Support Service commissioned to support single homeless people in temporary accommodation. St Petroc’s staff become Peer Auditors for partner agencies who work with homeless people across the South West.

2003

In my 8 years with the Society it has grown with 2 new supported projects being opened in Falmouth and Bodmin, our oldest project being fully refurbished, The Breadline centre opening and being refurbished from a café into a training kitchen, the SmartMove rent deposit bond scheme developing and Outreach becoming a countywide resource. The skills within the staff have constantly evolved to meet the ever changing needs of the clients and our funders. The professionalism and dedication shown from all areas of the Society has been recognised by the award of both Investors in People and the Community Legal Service Mark. All of these achievements have only been possible due to the sound base on which the Society stands and the reputation and support it has built up over the last 25 years.

Smart Move During 2001 St Petroc’s was one of 6 agencies in the UK to be commissioned by the national charity CRISIS to take part in a Regional Development Programme to operate and evaluate the SmartMove Rent Deposit Bond Scheme. The scheme removed the hurdle of providing a cash bond prior to moving in a property and replaced with a bond or guarantee for a landlord of payment should the tenant damage or leave the property without paying their rent. Commissioned to operate in the North and East of the County the scheme built up close links with both North Cornwall and Caradon District Councils, local lettings agencies and private landlords.

As the times have changed the Society has worked hard to ensure that it remains compliant with all current legislation, funding requirements, standards, the wishes of the community and most importantly it has remained relevant to the needs of the clients it serves. This has not been an easy task but one which has always been achieved. With the introduction of the Supporting People programme in 2003 a set of standards emerged and both the standards and principles of the programme enabled the Society to further improve its services.

SmartMove 322 people given a bond

I am and always have been proud to work for Saint Petroc’s. I consider it an honour to work with a dedicated and talented staff team who put their hearts and soul into their work. It is a pleasure to spend time with our funders and supporters talking about the work of the Society. However, most importantly it is a privilege to work with a client group who are some of the most socially excluded people in our society. Saint Petroc’s Society has been constant in the lives of street homeless people for the last 25 years and with the on-going support of the staff and community it will remain so for many years to come.

Average cost of a bond is £389.69 An average 350 referrals made to SmartMove each year

“Since the age of fourteen, when I ran away from home, I have never been fully settled in any place or with anyone.” Allen (2006/2007)

Richard Bryant, Operations Manager 2004 to date

Community Legal Service Quality Mark awarded to staff team. Poetry book “Sleeping in the Rain” endorsed by Poet Laureate. Home Detox service pioneered by Health for Homeless in Truro. Established with Financial Service Authority that St Petroc’s is secure enough to no longer state “limited” in its title.

2004 Health for Homeless

The original Health for Homeless Team.

It is widely recognised that homeless people experience levels of morbidity and mortality well in excess of other groups in society. The average age at death of rough sleepers is 42 years (CRISIS 1996). This situation is compounded by the fact that homeless people are far less likely to have a registered GP than other people, and are therefore less likely to receive early diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental health problems.

It was as a response to these concerns, and in no small part due to the efforts of Steve Ellis and his colleagues, that Cornwall Health for Homeless was first commissioned by the (then) Central Cornwall PCT in 2002. Since then the Cornwall Health for Homeless team have seen over two thousand homeless clients, and we now conduct clinics at three sites across Cornwall: at the Breadline Centre in Penzance, the New Connections in Camborne and at St Petroc’s in Truro.

Victoria Field and Sarah Lay at the launch of Sleeping in the Rain

Over the past eight years a very successful collaboration has developed between the medical team of Cornwall Health for Homeless and the resettlement and support services of the St Petroc’s Society. So often ill-health results in homelessness, and equally homelessness frequently leads to ill-health. It is impossible to treat one aspect in isolation from the other, and successful outcomes depend upon a holistic approach. The St Petroc’s staff are brilliant at engaging with homeless clients, and encouraging them to see the medical team when they have concerns. Just as we can sometimes help the St Petroc’s staff where they have concerns about the health of a homeless person, it is invaluable for the medical team to be able to call on their expertise regarding all non-medical issues. The decision by Steve Ellis in 2002 to allow a medical team to be based in a room within the St Petroc’s building has made it as easy as possible for homeless people to seek medical help. In a further attempt to remove barriers all medical clinics are entirely “drop in”, with no appointment system

Ever slept out in the rain?. I have Ever felt so cold you cannot feel anything?. I have Ever felt so hungry you cannot feel the cold?. I have Ever been so alone you are gripped by rear?. I have Ever been so frightened you cannot breathe?. I have Ever been hungry, wet, cold, frightened and alone?. I have I have because I have been homeless.

It has been enormously satisfying for us to work so closely with the St Petroc’s Society over the past eight years, in a collaborative effort to improve the lives of homeless people. We congratulate you all on achieving your silver jubilee. You are a fantastic team, and we look forward to working in partnership with you in the years to come.

Pam Hughes

Investors in People award achieved. Breadline Centre, Penzance becomes part of St Petroc’s. Radio Five Live broadcast from City Road to 1.1 million listeners in aid of Comic Relief. Sleepouts and vigils arranged in Truro, Newquay, Falmouth, Bodmin, Penzance, Launceston and St Austell in support of raising awareness of homelessness at Christmas.

2005

When a friend invited me to join the Board of St Petroc’s in 2001 I had little thought of the extent to which I would subsequently become involved. At the time, the Society occupied a few rooms in a somewhat ramshackle building in Victoria Square and, without wishing in any way to derogate from the good work that was already being done, the organisation of the Society itself gave much the same impression. The Society had recently undergone something of a management crisis and the Board was a little demoralised and uncertain as to the future. Our first task was to create a new management structure and appoint a new Chief Executive. Steve Ellis, who had not long been with the Society, offered himself for the post and his appointment proved to be pivotal in the successful development of the Society over the next nine years leading to its generally highly regarded status in the County at the present time.

Radio Five Live broadcast live from the Truro Resource Centre

In 2002 the Society had the opportunity of moving to new premises in City Road. This gave a tremendous fillip to morale and following my appointment as Secretary in the same year I saw through the adoption of a new constitution for the Society. Whilst constitutions of themselves do not improve the management of an organisation, the process brought to the forefront of the Board’s attention the demands of good corporate governance. As a result the Board considerably reduced the number of its meetings reserving to itself all strategic decisions and delegating all purely management matters to the staff. One of my first tasks on taking over as Secretary was to revue with a small staff committee all the policy and procedural documentation in use in the houses and other parts of the organisation. Whilst this might have been a somewhat dull and laborious task, it was greatly Sleepouts and vigils

Society participates in the auditing of Community Mental Health services in Cornwall. Christmas appeal reaches £45,000. Alexandra Terrace refurbished. Supporting People Accreditation achieved.

2006

enlivened, if not a little delayed, as the consideration of almost every paragraph called forth a reminiscence from one particular member of the committee as to why it was there and why it should not be changed. I certainly learned more about the Society during those meetings than I had ever known before!

Chairmanship was not something to which I looked forward with eager anticipation. But looking back now I have a great sense of pride to have held the office, and my memories are almost all pleasant ones. Of course there were times when things did not work out as planned – by no means a rare event in the life of St Petroc’s Society. The range of problems faced did not diminish and the measures to deal with them became even more complex. But the resilience of the staff, with the inspired leadership of Steve Ellis, never faltered, and good humour was never far below the surface.

I took an early interest in the Smartmove Deposit Bond Scheme and was a member of the steering committee that supervised our three year association with Crisis UK from 2002-5. In addition to helping to finance the project during those years, the Society benefitted greatly by the provision of standard documentation and an operational data base, which has continued to form the basis of the ongoing success of the Scheme. The more recent acquisition of the Bodmin Chapel and Falmouth houses involved a good deal of patient negotiation with the local Councils on legal, planning and other matters as well as with our benefactors, which have all proved their worth. The Private Sector Leasing Scheme in St Austell is still in its infancy, but which, if successful, could prove to be a financially viable way in which to extend the accommodation available to our clients in these straightened times.

The move form Victoria Square to City Road was more than just a change of accommodation. It completely transformed the range and quality of services the Society could offer. One colossal advantage was that the extra space we had enabled us, in consultation with the Primary Care Trust, to accommodate the Health for Homeless team. This provides a drop in primary care service with a focus on the specific needs of homeless people. I am very glad that this partnership, established in 2003, is still a vital part of the service offered at 8 City Road and Breadline.

It has been a privilege to be associated with the Society over the past ten years of successful growth. Whilst the Board has on occasion been obliged to take some difficult decisions it has throughout acted with the utmost probity and good humour and it has been a pleasure to be a part of the team. The Society would, however, be nothing without its staff, whose dedication and fortitude in often difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances has been exemplary. It is to them that the Society owes its success under the wise and dedicated leadership of Steve Ellis, whose contribution to the Society has been and continues to be immeasurable.

This ability to work in partnership with other agencies both statutory and voluntary is a key part of how St Petroc’s operates, and it is likely to be ever more important in efforts to cope with homelessness. Roff Rayner, Chairman 2002 - 2006

Derek Archer, Secretary 2002 to date

2007

Chapel Lane Bodmin opened. Resettlement Services in Truro and Penzance increase provision to include Theatre Workshops, Art Classes and Reiki Sessions. Photographic exhibition and book “No one Should Be Homeless At Christmas” produced with Arts for Health charity and opened in Truro Cathedral. PricewaterhouseCoopers delegate 2 senior partners to work with St Petroc’s over the future development of the Society.

Chapel Lane, Bodmin. Chapel Lane was the first residential service the Society opened since Castle Street, Bodmin in 1993. The scheme was the perfect advert for partnership working as without contributions from North Cornwall District Council, the County’s Drug and Alcohol and Community Mental Health teams, Cornwall Supporting People team and the Mears Group, this scheme would not have become a reality.

The scheme was officially opened by Lady Mary Holborow in the presence of Lord St Levan, The Right Reverend Roy Screech, Councillor Linda Spear and staff members from all the partner agencies.

A selection of images from the exhibition. Steve Ellis, Jane Howard and Brian Kennedy at the opening. The opening of Chapel Lane, Bodmin

St Petroc’s Resource Centres in Truro and Penzance accessed over 25,000 times. Trelawney Road, Falmouth opened.

2008 Trelawney Road, Falmouth In December 2008 we opened our new residential service in Falmouth. The house has been a great success with full occupancy since it opened. This project has been many years in the planning and without the help of Carrick District Council members and Officers, Cornwall Partnership Trust, and our dedicated local support group of friends, we could never have brought the scheme into being. We express particular gratitude to the MJB Charitable Trust, who provided the inspiration and resources to make this project a reality. All at St Petroc’s are beneficiaries of their kindness and thoughtfulness. It has been our privilege and pleasure to work alongside the trust on this project.

“The family has shut the doors on his return. We have had contact with his family at this request and they have refused the idea of reconciliation. Chris blames his parents for allowing him to smoke cannabis from the age of 15 in front of them and provided by them. He also had no support from his family when his girlfriend had a miscarriage. His mother has been diagnosed with mental health issues and Chris feels that this has been a part of the problem that affects their relationship. He is a vulnerable and emotional individual frightened by the prospect of rough sleeping on the streets.” Chris’s story (2007/2008)

Working in Partnership with Homeless Link and Eden Project. Clients work on entry for Chelsea Flower Show

2009

Great Day Out

Chelsea Flower Show

In addition to promoting the importance, value and beauty of plants, the Eden Project Team actively encourage individual and group participation across all of society in particular those less likely to visit their site. As part of this and their “Great Day Out” programme St Petroc’s clients are regularly invited to attend for a day out. These days out not only involve a tour of their internationally respected site but also a variety of hands on activities. These days out can often lead into more regular visits for clients and an opportunity to develop their skills and undertake volunteering opportunities with the project.

As part of the Great Day Out programme the Society’s Supported Accommodation residents were invited to join the Eden construction team at the Chelsea Flower Show for 2 days to assist in the setting up of “The Key”. This was made possible by Homeless Link who funded all of the travel and accommodation costs. In Early May 2009 3 very excited and enthused residents set out for London by train. All 3 of them had never been to London before and so were escorted by a Manager from one of the Supported Accommodation houses.

Big Lottery grant received in support of Breadline Centre, Penzance. Private Sector Leasing Scheme (PSL) opens in St Austell. St Petroc’s launches poster campaign “Giving the voice back to homeless people”

2010 Private Sector Leasing Scheme Private Sector Leasing (PSL) is a new concept for St Petroc’s Society. The scheme works in partnership with local private landlords and enables the Society to lease properties at a reduced rental and let them to clients who have shown that they are ready for more independent living. St Petroc’s opened its first Private Sector Leased project in June 2010. The scheme has been able to assist 2 clients to find permanent accommodation and 1 client has found accommodation with employment. 2 of the residents are working full time and 1 has started full time education.

Each Christmas Day the Breadline Centre has provided meals for an average of 90+ clients with food donated by the people of Cornwall

The ability to operate a PSL scheme in support of our supported accommodation projects has strengthened the Society’s ability to provide medium term sustainable and affordable accommodation to clients and is yet a further innovation by St Petroc’s in tackling homelessness.

Breadline Services accessed 92,356 times 817 new clients accessed Breadline Centre The FOSTAH team who helped get the PSL properties ready for occupation. Bishop Roy lends his support to the scheme.

272 people permanently housed

Clients receive certificates for passing NVQ’s in Catering and Food Hygiene at the Breadline Centre, Penzance in conjunction with Truro & Penwith College. St Petroc’s celebrates 25 years of helping the homeless at Truro Cathedral.

2011

25th Anniversary St Petroc’s celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a service held in Truro Cathedral on the 9th July 2011. The service was attended by Dr Alan Livingstone CBE DL who represented Lady Mary Holborow, founder members, board members past and present, current and former staff, friends and supporters of the Society. The service was a chance for St Petroc’s to say a big thank you to all those people and organisations that have supported the Society over the past 25 years. The Cornish sculptor Richard Austin loaned the Society his latest work “Invisible Sleeper” and this was displayed. The sculpture served as a reminder of the reasons the Society exists.

St Petroc’s has now been supporting the single homeless people of Cornwall for 25 years. For me this is a double edged sword: on the one hand it is incredible that the Society has evolved from what started as an idea between a few caring people of how the local homeless deserved more than a church porch for shelter, to the now multi faceted, professional team of 27 staff who work tirelessly to ensure that anyone who comes to us for help is treated with the respect that each and every person deserves. The other side of the coin is, of course, that our work is now even more in demand than ever. It is heartbreaking that, after all this time, some people still do not understand the causes of homelessness and still believe it is acceptable to treat the homeless person as a second-class citizen who should just be ‘cleared off the streets’ or ‘moved on’ so that the rest of us do not have to be reminded of their existence.

Clients receiving their certificates at Breadline

2011 is also my 18th year of working for St Petroc’s. I began originally as a part-time volunteer, contributing just a few hours of filing a week. We had one computer, two filing cabinets and three desks in a small office at Diocesan House. I loved it then and I love it even more now and could not wish to work for a better organisation. I am very proud of and constantly grounded by the work that we do – there but for the grace of God goes each and every one of us. Margaret Rail, Society Administrator 1993 to date

Supporters 1996 - 2011 Action for Street Kids AJB Associates Alliance & Leicester Arco 2 B & C Bowyer Baker Toms Bakery Barclays Bank Barnecutt Bakery BBC Radio Cornwall BBC Radio Five Live Bitter Sweet Bodmin & Wenford Railway Bosence Farm Bosvigo County Primary School Burger King Business Link C.I.T Fund Caradon District Council Carlson Trust Carrick District Council Carson Trust Central Primary Care Trust Champagne Cornwall Ladies’ Barbershop Chorus Charles Robertson (Dev) Ltd Children in Need Church Urban Fund Churches Together in Cornwall Colin Bate Comic Relief Common Purpose Cornish Federation of Male Voice Choirs Cornwall & Isles of Scilly District Health Authority Cornwall Arts For Health Cornwall Community Foundation Cornwall Community Mental Health Teams Cornwall Council Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Team Cornwall Methodist District Cornwall Partnership Trust

Cornwall Primary Care Trust Cornwall Residential Landlords Association Cornwall Supporting People Team Cornwall Youth Offending Service Crisis Croner Consulting DCN & Co Ltd Department of the Environment Devon & Cornwall Police Devon and Cornwall Housing Association Devon and Cornwall Probation Service Diocesan House Eden Project Epiphany House Fal Publishing Falmouth Arts Centre Falmouth School Gospel Choir Foot Anstey Solicitors FOSTAH Garfield Weston Foundation Gertrude Allen Trust Ginsters Headland Printers Health for Homeless Henry Smith Foundation Homeless Link Investors in People J Paul Getty Charitable Trust J Sainsbury Plc Kensey Foods Learning Skills Council Lloyds Bank PLC Lloyds TSB Foundation Mallets Mencap MJB Charitable Trust Nanstallon County Primary School National Housing Federation National Westminster Bank

North Cornwall District Council Office of Deputy Prime Minister Oggy Oggy Pasty Company Paula Johnson Pentyr Publishing Penwith District Council Perranwell Handbell Ringers Pike Charity Trust Pilgrim Trust Pirate FM Plymouth Diocese PricewaterhouseCoopers Quaker Housing Trust Radio Atlantic RAF St Mawgan Restormel Borough Council Richard Austin, Sculptor Richard Lander School Rick Stein’s Restaurant Padstow Robinson Reed Layton Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth Rosemullion Homes Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust Salvation Army Sarah Lay Shekinah Mission Shelter Smart Exposure Productions St Austell Town Band St Breock Natural Cornish Water Company St Mungo’s Stephens Scown Solicitors StreetSmart Tanner Trust The Ashden Trust The Big Lottery The Drapers Company The Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust The Garfield Weston Foundation The Gerrick Rose Animal Trust The Hilden Charitable Trust The J. Rothschild Group Charitable Trust

The Llankelly Foundation The Norman Family Charitable Trust The Piet Mendels Foundation The Pilgrim Trust The Pirate Trust The Rank Foundation The Royal British Legion The Swan Mountain Trust The Tudor Trust The United Way Trago Mills Tredrea Inn Charities Tregease Consultancy Trengweath Truro Cathedral Truro and Penwith College Truro Computer Services Truro Methodist Church University College of Falmouth Victoria Field W B Davis Charitable Trust White Gold Project We would also wish to thank all W.I., Rotarians and Lions Groups of Cornwall as well as all Brownie, cubs and scout groups. May we also express our gratitude to cross denominationally, all church and schools for all their donations over the years. Plus many, many other companies and organisations which sadly we just don’t have room to mention. We continue to be overwhelmed by the amazing support from our Friends’ Groups, local churches, clubs, groups, schools, companies, organisations and individuals who give so very generously of their time, talents and support and we offer our heartfelt thanks to them all.

In the 25 years the Society has been working it has seen over 24,534 new clients. This means that is has seen 2.69 new homeless people each and every day.

If you feel inspired to help us by volunteering or giving something in cash or in kind - please get in touch St Petrocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society, 8 City Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2JJ Tel: 01872 260948 Fax: 01872 260725 www.stpetrocs.org.uk email: home@stpetrocs.org.uk Saint Petrocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society is registered as an Industrial & Provident society with Charitable rules, No. 25231R

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this Silver Jubilee Review, and ask if anyone has any further information to add to our historical record, would you please contact us.