{"id":1078,"date":"2016-04-26T12:09:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T11:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/?page_id=1078"},"modified":"2019-03-11T10:17:48","modified_gmt":"2019-03-11T10:17:48","slug":"key-themes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/key-themes\/","title":{"rendered":"Key themes"},"content":{"rendered":"

This section pulls together an overview of the key themes that arose in the two focus groups and five interviews.<\/p>\n

Engagement<\/h2>\n

Both groups recognised the significant and unique benefits which come with peer support. A key aspect of peer support is the way it can establish and facilitate meaningful engagement with people experiencing isolation and exclusion, particularly those who may historically distrust services (eg people with convictions, care-experienced young people):<\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s very non-judgemental and the benefits are they understand we\u2019ve been there, seen it, done it and that\u2019s the unique selling point – where it gets a lot of buy in and a lot of engagement.’ (Peer mentor, Glasgow group)<\/p>\n

‘We have found that engagement is completely different when it is peer-led. You can\u2019t really put your finger on it but it feels different. People will engage differently, conversations are different, the dynamics are really different, and it\u2019s worked really really well.’ (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"glasgow4\"<\/p>\n

People working in public services also recognised a lack of engagement as a barrier to providing available support:<\/p>\n

\n

\u2018We have a housing support service but so many people don\u2019t take it… they won\u2019t engage… they shut us out\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The features of peer support which help facilitate engagement include the \u2018additional insight\u2019 which lived experience provides and the \u2018instant connection\u2019 shared knowledge creates between people who have similar lived experiences. There\u2019s perceived credibility to those in peer support worker roles – they know, they\u2019ve \u2018been there\u2019. The fact that people experiencing homelessness can identify with the peer worker sitting across from them sets a tone of trust:<\/p>\n

‘I sit there and listen to people describe exactly how I am at the moment\u2026 they\u2019re explaining how my brain works and I\u2019m thinking \u2018he knows me’… It\u2019s seeing someone and believing they were once the same as you.\u2019 (Robert, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Peer workers can also recognise and empathise with the emotions people experiencing homelessness are facing. William, a person with lived experience who attended the Huntly group, described fear as \u2018the common denominator\u2019 between people who experience homelessness and how this \u2018seems to be overlooked\u2019 by services but can be understood by peers.<\/p>\n

Part of the discussion in the Huntly group focused on the community-focused approach taken in the Aberdeenshire area. The basis of this approach was the belief that communities are the experts about their challenges and are able to generate their own solutions with the right support and funding. The approach focuses on empowering communities to do things for themselves and making it feel ‘safe, comfortable and achievable’ to have ideas and create solutions. A feature of the community focus is an inclusion to promote engagement:<\/p>\n

‘We\u2019re increasingly not using the terms \u2018alcohol and drugs\u2019… quite frankly, all of us, irrespective of our background or experience, we\u2019re all in recovery from something, we\u2019ve all got issues\u2026 substance misuse isn\u2019t some strange three-headed creature, it\u2019s part and parcel of humanity.\u2019 (ADP worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Huntly1\"<\/p>\n

Benefits<\/h2>\n

Both people delivering and accessing peer support benefit from the process and outcomes in profound ways. Experiences vary from improvements in confidence and self-esteem, through building relationships, to job opportunities which bring about sustained changes; and for some, it was seen as anchoring their recovery:<\/p>\n

\u2018…my sobriety is dependent on me helping others. If I go back to being the selfish person I was before, and stop helping others, I will pick up a drink again and that\u2019s a death sentence. I don\u2019t think I would have another recovery in me.\u2019 (Robert, interview)<\/p>\n

\u2018My skills base has increased enormously. When I first got into this all I could speak of was my own personal experience of this, for example, signing on or this is what happens when you\u2019re on job seekers allowance. I now understand the wider net of welfare rights and the welfare system.\u2019 (Douglas, interview)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The discussions also highlighted the gains organisations can make from integrating peer approaches both in terms of new learning and improving services:<\/p>\n

\u2018I think staff constantly learn from peer supporters… it works really well to do joint training.\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p>\n

‘Services improve the more confident the service users become\u2026 you have to evidence to your service user group – this is what you said, this is what we\u2019ve done about it\u2026\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Organisations represented at the Glasgow group spoke of a keenness and necessity of learning from each other\u2019s approaches to setting up and running peer support services, and of a new expectation from grant givers to share knowledge and experiences in order for funded projects to benefit from emerging good practice.<\/p>\n

\"glasgow1\"<\/p>\n

Readiness<\/h2>\n

The role of readiness came up in both groups as a prerequisite for effective peer support. Several examples of when it didn\u2019t work included a lack of readiness in either the peer worker or the person accessing support. There seemed in both groups a kind of tacit knowledge based on experience about readiness. One of the Glasgow group referred to a \u2018spidey sense\u2019 about when a person wasn\u2019t ready to become a peer support worker. Examples were cited about peer workers who lack readiness, struggling with boundaries, relapsing and becoming \u2018too involved\u2019. One such example was credited as a key learning experience which strengthened an organisation\u2019s support mechanisms for peers, moving them from \u2018winging it\u2019 towards formalising their processes, through introducing training, handbooks and reporting procedures for the peer workers.<\/p>\n

Organisational readiness was equally important when the peer worker programme is a success and individuals are able to use their experience to move into paid employment elsewhere. Letting go of volunteers, and not being ready to take in new ones put a temporary hold on one Glasgow-based organisation\u2019s ability to provide a peer support service:<\/p>\n

\u2018One thing we are not short of are peers, and people who are interested in doing that. Our issues is more the capacity of staff that are managing the programme. That\u2019s where we\u2019ve struggled\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Those with lived experience are expert at recognising the readiness of the people who access their support, and will adapt their response accordingly:<\/p>\n

\u2018When people that have made the active step\u2026 making steps into recovery, they are easier to talk to\u2026 They won\u2019t stop until they actually decide that they want to. And then it\u2019s really easy. (Des, interview)<\/p>\n

\u2018It is absolutely pointless, we\u2019ve found, attempting to help somebody that doesn\u2019t actually want the help. That can be actually counterproductive.’ (Robert, interview)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Evidencing outcomes<\/h2>\n

The difference peer support makes can present a challenge to evidence because \u2018the key thing is the outcome\u2019 (Peer mentor, Glasgow group). Research highlights the challenges of measuring outcomes and impact. Real change can take time and it can be difficult to find out what legacy support has had on an individual:<\/p>\n

‘The impact we have on people, it’s hard to say… sometimes you’ll never know, it could be ten years down the line…’ (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p>\n

\u2018… a measure is when a peer approach would have been more or less successful. That\u2019s very difficult to measure.\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, it is evident that the peer workers themselves started out on their road to stability through reaching out to someone whom they felt heard and understood them. That first connection was vital to their progress.<\/p>\n

Both groups agreed that capturing and sharing people’s stories is the most influential proof:<\/p>\n

\u2018The most powerful bit is when people themselves talk about it\u2026 you can have performance indicators and all the bits we need to do but\u2026 for people that use services, they\u2019re not interested in stats, they\u2019re interested in real stories that will actually mean something to them\u2026\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/em><\/p>\n

In contrast, workers from statutory services in the focus groups were acutely aware that they are measured differently:<\/p>\n

\u2018Our statutory duty, what we get measured on by all our stats and targets, by the Government, is that we have to get people out of temporary accommodation and into permanent housing\u2026\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Huntly5\"<\/p>\n

The disconnect between outcomes and outputs was particularly apparent in the Huntly focus group when both sides of the story of statutory support were highlighted. Robert, a person with lived experience of homelessness, shared a snapshot of his story:<\/p>\n

‘Some of the help I got, I\u2019m sober and well today despite it\u2026 I was diagnosed as chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependent\u2026 I was housed in a wee room over a bar\u2026 it was sheer hell\u2026 The person allocating the house wasn\u2019t aware that the two major triggers to my PTSD were blue flashing lights and sirens – I\u2019m housed 100 yards from a fire station… Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if we could take account of those things so other people didn\u2019t have to go through that?\u2019  (Robert, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In stark contrast, a council worker provided her perspective:<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re focusing on what our job is, and what we\u2019ve been trained to do which is getting a house \u2013 possibly giving ourselves a pat on the back when we find them a house whether it\u2019s in the middle of nowhere or not, because we think we\u2019ve done our job. We\u2019ve done what we\u2019ve set out to do. We maybe don\u2019t necessarily understand that actually we\u2019ve just put somebody in there to be really lonely, to not have anybody round about them or friends, because that\u2019s just not what we\u2019re trained to do.\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What this exchange illustrates is the danger of providing support which is not person-centred and the risk of addressing homelessness with a one-dimensional solution. A person with lived experience talked about the importance of not focusing on the \u2018wrong solutions\u2019 and thinking that homelessness in all its complexity can be solved with the provision of housing:<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s really important when having discussion like this that we have as many people with lived experience round the table as we can\u2026 It\u2019s really easy to fall into the trap\u2026 having the emphasis on the housing problem\u2026 we\u2019ve got to deal with gaps, we\u2019ve got to deal with shortages\u2026 but I think we\u2019ll miss solutions because sometimes we\u2019re thinking that the solution appears to be that we get more housing and then that\u2019s going to solve the problem\u2026\u2019 (Des, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A key observation about the Huntly group discussion was that the people around the table with lived experience were particularly keen to focus on solutions. They acknowledged the enduring issues of housing shortages and the challenges of a rural context discussed in detail by those working in statutory services, but were keen to bring the conversation around to improvements in the face of the problems. For example, in response to Robert\u2019s story about being housed in a situation which exacerbated his PTSD, one of the people with lived experience suggested a \u2018vulnerability indicator\u2019 as a way of flagging up issues which could make it harmful for some people to be housed in particular accommodation.<\/p>\n

Options, complexity and collaboration<\/h2>\n

A shared theme across both groups was what was perceived as poor accommodation options for some people (eg prison leavers, people with addictions), particularly because most people presenting as homeless are single adults, and most frequently male.<\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019re better off on the street than heading into a hostel half the time\u2019 (Stuart, Huntly group)<\/p>\n

‘Some people honestly feel they’re better off in prison’ (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p>\n

\u2018…the flat itself was a hovel…the standard of housing is shocking\u2026\u2019 (Worker, Support provider organisation, Glasgow group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Those working in statutory services shared the frustration and recognised the limitations of what support they are able to offer. As one put it:<\/p>\n

\u2018If you\u2019ve only got a box of chicken nuggets, you\u2019re never going to able to serve someone a steak.\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Compounding this frustration was the complexity of the needs homelessness can present. Workers found it daunting when faced with a barrage of issues:<\/p>\n

\u2018You get people that don’t fit any kid of criteria and it’s really difficult to try and figure out how to support them\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p>\n

\u2018Sometimes you get about six issues fired at you at the same time\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This highlights the complexity of homelessness and it was agreed in the focus groups that ideally the best response would be holistic and person-centred. For this to happen, services need to be well connected so they can signpost or refer people to additional help, including peer support. There were mixed perceptions on the extent to which services are currently connected. There was a view that the rural nature of the Aberdeenshire area meant that support services needed to rely more on partnership working and creativity:<\/p>\n

‘Some colleagues in other parts of the country are flabbergasted at what we\u2019re able to deliver here because of that make do and mend type of attitude\u2019 (ADP worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Although there were examples of effective collaboration cited by the Huntly group, mention was also made of \u2018competition\u2019 between services and local services around the table being unaware of each other. In the Glasgow group, individuals seemed to be almost effortlessly aware of each other, however, not necessarily of what each other\u2019s services deliver. In the urban environment there are more opportunities for services to meet up at events and conferences. The increased requirement for services to learn from each other and to demonstrate their learning to funders was viewed as an opportunity to develop timely and appropriate services.<\/p>\n

Geography<\/h2>\n

Not unexpectedly, the Huntly group discussion was dominated by the impact of their geographical location which wasn\u2019t an issue for the Glasgow group.<\/p>\n

\"Geography<\/p>\n

A range of challenges linked to rurality were outlined including:<\/p>\n

1. Accommodation options spread out over a vast area<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018…we have to get them [housing applicants] to add as many areas as possible onto a housing application to get a house, it\u2019s not ideal\u2026 but if you\u2019re waiting for one specific area, it could take you five years\u2026\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Housing shortages<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was recognised as a common problem across the country but \u2018in rural areas, it\u2019s magnified because everything\u2019s spread out\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p>\n

3. Lack of specialist units in rural areas<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Because Aberdeenshire is such a huge area\u2026 they concentrate the more specialised units in areas which are bigger, and there\u2019s more need… We just have to use what we\u2019ve got, we realise it doesn\u2019t suit everybody but we have to do the best that we can’ (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4. Lack of access to other agencies \/ support services<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018When you\u2019re in a city and someone has a crisis… you have a list this long of services you can phone up just like that, and if one can\u2019t do it, the next one can and that doesn\u2019t happen in a rural area.\u2019 (Council worker, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5. Poor transport links contributing to isolation and creating barriers to employment<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘It’s not a housing issue, it’s a transport issue… you might want to work but you’ve no way of getting to work unless you have some kind of transport to get there’  (Des, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. Technology poverty (eg lack of broadband and mobile phone signal in some areas)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even if you do have access to a computer, if you’re homeless one of those with lived experienced asked: \u2018Where do you plug in a computer in a cardboard box?\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7. Difficulties recruiting people into posts due to a range of factors including expensive housing in some rural areas<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Cuts means cuts to salaries so no one is moving to the area. For eight months we had no staff so people couldn\u2019t get a service. People can\u2019t afford the house prices so they aren\u2019t applying for the jobs therefore we struggle to get people into the sector.’ (Third sector support provider, Huntly group)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This section pulls together an overview of the key themes that arose in the two focus groups and five interviews. Engagement Both groups recognised the significant and unique benefits which come with peer support. A key aspect of peer support is the way it can establish and facilitate meaningful engagement with people experiencing isolation and … Continue reading Key themes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":961,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1078"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1078\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}