Page 3
Askern Court in Doncaster provides 6 flats for young people leaving care. Staff are on site 24 hours a day, and help develop skills to live independently. T: 01302 874880
What is homelessness? Homelessness is as complex now as it was 50 years ago. Common factors are varied, including relationship breakdown, benefit sanctions, traumatic events such as bereavement, and young people leaving care. There is the realisation amongst many who work in homelessness that we are all only a couple of decisions away from being homeless. This is not something that only happens to other people – the journeys that have brought our customers to our homeless services remind us that it could, and does, happen to any one of us. Housing is about more than having a roof over your head. It’s about extending life, improving health and providing a stable base to access education, employment and the support you need to thrive - it’s the foundation of wellbeing. The ambition of SYHA is for people to settle, live well and realise their potential - that’s why we, and many other housing associations, aim to provide so much more than just a house. SYHA has a number of homeless services across the Sheffield City Region which are accessible via local authority homeless departments, referral from other professionals, or self-referrals. We offer a wide range of services covering a number of different age groups and needs, and have years of experience in working with homeless people to tackle their issues and get them back on track. Visit www.syha.co.uk or call 0114 2900 200 for more information.
Barnsley Thursday Project provide accommodation, support, advice and guidance to their temporary residents. T: 01226 770019 Cuthbert Bank is within easy reach of Hillsborough’s facilities, with 15 three bed and 9 two bed self-contained, furnished flats for homeless families. T: 0114 231 2483. Daresbury View mostly houses families, couples and single people in temporary accommodation. T: 0114 2530 008 Newbold Court houses single homeless young people who have been referred by the Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire council, and those who are moving on from children’s homes. T: 01246 274201 Nine One One specializes in providing supported accommodation to people with a range of complex needs, primarily focusing on substance misuse and alcohol dependency issues. The aim of the project is to prevent homelessness and give customers a safe place to live and recover. T: 0114 2751644 Rotherham Homeless temporarily provides furnished houses to homeless families. T: 01709 555 321 Rotherham Thursday Project work with people who currently live in their own homes, but are at risk of becoming homeless, to successfully maintain their tenancy and live independently. T: 01709 837459 SYHA has some dispersed properties in Sheffield that offer temporary self-contained, furnished accommodation to homeless families who have been referred by Sheffield City Council Housing Solutions. Our team help families to find permanent accommodation, and offer help, advice and guidance on improving health and wellbeing. T: 0114 264 8786
Page 5
Other Sheffield organisations that can offer advice, support and guidance on finance, housing and homelessness.
Roundabout is a Sheffield youth housing charity, providing shelter, support and life skills to young people. Roundabout organises an annual sleep out and various fundraising activities to raise funds and awareness about the issues facing young homeless people. Why not help them do more? T: 0114 258 9829 Resettlement Team: 0114 253 6721 Supporting Tenants Team: 0114 253 6797 Central Services/Admin Team: 0114 253 6789 Fundraising Co-ordinator: 0114 253 6753 The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, to provide confidential support to those experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. T: 113 123 Sheffield Cathedral Archer Project supports homeless people to develop independence, tackle setbacks and improve wellbeing. T: 0114 263 6970 E: cap.reception@sheffield-cathedral.org.uk
Crisis Skylight South Yorkshire is an outreach service for homeless and vulnerably housed people. T: 0114 317 7300 E: southyorkshire@crisis.org.uk
Sheffield Domestic Abuse Partnership Helpline (open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm): 0808 808 2241
Emmaus is a charity offering a safe and welcoming community for people who were formerly homeless. T: 0114 272 0677 E: enquiry@emmaus-sheffield.org.uk
Sheffield Money offers financial advice and low cost loans. Visit them: First Point, Howden House, Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH T: 0114 399 5555 E: hello@sheffieldmoney.co.uk
The National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline is a service for women experiencing domestic violence, and their friends, family, colleagues and those calling on their behalf. T: 0808 2000 247
Shelter is a national charity helping millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through advice, support and legal services. Shelter’s free housing advice helpline: 0808 800 4444
Nomad provides a range of support, including moving home, understanding tenancy agreements, benefits claims, budgeting, and making local contacts and friendships. T: 0114 241 2080 E: enquiries@nomadsheffield.co.uk
Turning Point provides street based outreach, interim support and tenancy support to help those who are rough sleeping to exit the streets. T: 0114 263 6964 E: info@turning-point.co.uk St Wilfrid’s is a day centre on Queens Road, Sheffield, open to all homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded adults aged 18-65 years old. T: 0114 255 5720 E: info@stwilfridscentre.org
Page 7
Sheffield has a great network of organisations committed to tackling poverty, social isolation and homelessness in the city.
1. Reg loses his job… Reg and Cathy are unable to pay their rent.
Too many people still experience the issues faced by Cathy, her husband Reg, and their children in Cathy Come Home. Let’s follow Cathy’s story, and learn about the ways both SYHA and other organisations in Sheffield are working together to break the cycle.
The SYHA Customer Services Team, keyworkers and other members of staff advise about how best to save money, budget and make the most of your income; this can range from accessing benefits, to advice on how to cut your bills and energy costs. And, if you’re not an SYHA customer, have a look through this booklet to find out more about the brilliant local organisations and charities that can support you in Sheffield. SYHA has set up various job clubs to help people find volunteer roles and work that are suitable for them. Get in touch, or talk to your keyworker, to find out about what’s available in your area. If you’d like to explore volunteering further, SYHA has a number of varied and interesting opportunities to help you develop skills, knowledge and confidence. Just get in touch on 0114 2900 200 or email volunteering@syha.co.uk to find out more!
Page 9
Page 11
3. Reg’s grandad is assessed by a social worker who agrees he should go into a nursing home.
2. The conditions Cathy’s family have to live in when residing with Reg’s Mother are detrimental to their own health and happiness. At SYHA, our LiveWell projects help you enjoy where you live, and to flourish and to realise your potential. For example, our EatWell project provided advice on how to learn new skills and eat healthily at a low cost. Another Moments of Joy – provides exciting opportunities to engage with the creative arts. To find out more about Moments of Joy, or to sign up as a participant or volunteer, please contact Paula on p.mccloskey@syha.co.uk. All of our LiveWell projects use the 5 Ways to Wellbeing as a basis for looking after yourself: to Stay Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Connect and Give.
There are around 16,000 isolated older people in Sheffield, but the Age Better in Sheffield partnership aims to make this a city we are all proud to grow old in. Get involved as a volunteer or participant by calling 0114 2900 250 or visiting agebettersheff.co.uk
Page 13
4. Cathy and her family leave Reg’s mum’s flat after an argument.
5. After moving in with Mrs Alley, Reg discusses some housing maintenance issues with his neighbours.
Cathy’s conflict with Reg’s Mother in the pressured environment of their overcrowded flat marks their rapid descent into homelessness. Family relationship breakdown is the most common cause of homelessness in young people, where they or their family no longer feel able to live together at home. Other common triggers for becoming homeless include financial difficulties, rent arrears, and coming to the end of an assured short hold tenancy. Talk to your neighborhood officer or housing officer as early as possible if you think that you or your family might need help with these issues. Alternatively, you could also speak to a number of homeless and housing charities and agencies in Sheffield (keep reading or get in touch for further information!).
The SYHA Housing Maintenance Team and Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team are on hand to fix your maintenance and repair issues, and to ensure that you have a comfortable and safe home. There are also out-of-hours emergency numbers for when problems arise outside of working hours. Sheffield City Council’s Private Housing Standards aim to encourage high standards of accommodation, repair, and good management in private rented homes. If a landlord is not fulfilling their obligations, the Private Housing Standards team can advise you on how to deal with your landlord, liaise with them on your behalf and in some cases serve legal notices requesting the relevant work be done. You can contact the Private Housing Standards team on 0114 2734680. For more advice about your rights as a private tenant, contact Shelter on 0344 5151515, or the Sheffield Law Centre on 0114 2731888.
Page 15
7. After Cathy and her family are forced out of their caravan, Cathy and her children move into a Women’s homeless centre. 6. Cathy and Reg get into rent arrears with Mrs Alley, and – after Mrs Alley passes away – are evicted from their home. A report by Shelter cites disputes and problems with landlords being a common route into homelessness; this can range from tenants misunderstanding their own rights and regulations, to landlords themselves acting in a criminal fashion. SYHA is a responsible and reliable landlord. We charge affordable/ social rates, keep in touch with our customers about their rent and property, and do everything we can to support them. As well as covering things like repairs and improvements, our customers’ rent also covers a whole range of other services like access to a dedicated member of staff who can help with things like anti-social behaviour and getting involved in community activities. To learn more about rent payments, find out what your current rent balance is, or to ask for help if you are struggling to pay your rent, call us on 0114 2900 200. If you are not an SYHA tenant and need rent advice, contact Shelter on 0344 5151515 or the Sheffield Money Advice Team on 0114 2930000.
SYHA has a number of homeless services that can support singles, couples and whole families who are affected by homelessness. You might be at risk of homelessness, or already without somewhere to live. We’ll help you find a safe long-term home, and support you to gain knowledge and confidence for your next steps. You can find out more in this booklet, by calling the South Yorkshire Housing Association on 0114 2900 200, or visiting our website www.syha.co.uk.
CATHY COME HOME
Page 17
50 years on
Cathy Come Home 2016 Sheffield events SHOWROOM CINEMA showroomworkstation.org.uk Box Office: 0114 275 7727 Tuesday 25 October 2016, Screening of Ken Loach’s BBC drama, Cathy Come Home Showroom Cinema, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S12BX Time: 6.15pm See the 1966 film that inspired the creation of so many Housing Associations and homeless charities across the UK. After the event will be a Q&A with a panel including CEO of SYHA, Tony Stacey, and CEO of Roundabout, Ben Keegan. There will be representatives from the housing and homelessness sector available outside the screen, with opportunities to find out about what’s happening locally, and information on ways you can help. Monday 14th November 2016, School screening of Cathy Come Home Time: 10.00am Recommended age group 14+. Cost: free
CRUCIBLE THEATRE 10 and 11 January 2017, Cardboard Citizens’ ‘Cathy’ What would happen to Cathy in 2016? In association with SYHA, Cardboard Citizens is bringing its modern day forum theatre performance of Cathy to Sheffield’s Crucible Studio Theatre. The Cardboard Citizens Theatre Group have been working with homeless people in London since 1991. You can book through the Crucible website: sheffieldtheatres.co.uk Or call the Box Office: 0114 249 6000 11 January 2017, Cardboard Citizens’ ‘Cathy’ performance for schools and young people: 2.15pm, afternoon matinee performance Includes a Q&A and an opportunity to meet Roundabout’s peer educators and people who have experienced homelessness first-hand. You can book through the Crucible website: sheffieldtheatres.co.uk Or call the Box Office: 0114 249 6000 Cardboard Citizens Cathy theatre workshop Please contact Grace on g.darbyshire@syha.co.uk for information and to book your place.
Matinee showing of Ken Loach’s original Cathy Come Home BBC drama for schools and young people aged 14 years and over, followed by a Q&A and discussion with local organisations who provide support for people who are homeless.
A workshop run by facilitators (themselves with experience of homelessness) that introduces participants to the Forum Theatre approach, and that enables participants to feel more confident in engaging with the performance.
To bring a school party, please contact The Showroom or visit www.intofilm.org/events/festival/2820
Find out more about other events and resources at syha.co.uk/cathy