\nNorton Park, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY \/ tel: 0131 475 2354<\/p>\n
A service modelled on community values<\/h3>\n![\"groupshadows\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/files\/2015\/06\/groupshadows.jpg\")
Flickr – Greg Lobinski (CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe model of Cyrenians\u2019 service delivery is unique to the organisation. Referral is received through formal routes: the social work department or throughcare and aftercare, and self-referral can occur. The service accepts residents between 16-30 years of age. Predominantly, \u00a0the city community takes in younger people and the farm takes the older applicants. Once a referral has been accepted, the young person is invited to visit the community and undergoes an assessment, followed by lunch with the group and then one overnight stay, to get\u00a0the feel of the place before committing to moving in. On\u00a0moving in, the residents become members of the community.<\/p>\n
\n‘…the model itself for the communities is so unique; the fact that we have volunteers who live alongside the young people who come to us, referred through social work, just that in itself is completely unique.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know of anywhere else that does it the way that we do… the idea is that the people who live in the houses are community members…’ (CB)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The majority of the time, volunteers and residents work out all domestic and inter-personal issues between themselves. Volunteers are taught conflict resolution in\u00a0training and will put this into use in times of confrontation in the house. The idea behind this set-up is that the people who live in the houses act as active community members, practising skills in the evenings and weekends when staff are not around to guide them.<\/p>\n
‘I just think it\u2019s the whole ethos about the company and what the company is all about, and it is about giving that person the chance for a normal life and some other organisations don\u2019t give them that chance, whereas here we do.\u00a0 We\u2019re open minded to where people have come from and where they\u2019re wanting to go, and how hard at times it can be.’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\n![\"texture\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/files\/2015\/06\/texture-300x300.jpg\")
Flickr – Ellen van Deelen (CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEvidence from Cyrenians\u2019 own analysis indicates that residents develop a more robust ability to act independently and respect boundaries. They learn by doing rather than by\u00a0being told. People are given options and are expected to make their own choices.<\/p>\n
The farm environment<\/strong><\/p>\nThe farm provides a unique setting and many\u00a0benefits for people who desire tranquility. It aids the recovery of people with mental health issues and those trying to detox as it removes them geographically from known triggers. Although farm work is not compulsory, many residents do take part. The theoretical purpose of the work is to build up a work ethic, however, residents also achieve qualifications which may boost both their confidence and possibilities for employment in the future.\u00a0 Qualifications include health and hygiene qualifications, required to work with animals and produce, and RIAS certificates. The farm staff have recently added a furniture upcycling project to\u00a0activities at the farm, where residents learn to restore and add value to old furniture. In time, the goal is to establish this as an independent social enterprise.<\/p>\n![\"calm\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/files\/2015\/06\/calm-300x300.jpg\")
Flickr – Tobi Gaulke (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n‘We probably tend to, at the farm, attract maybe more of your older age group, and what they\u2019ve said and what staff have noticed is it really benefits people who want to develop.\u00a0 They might have mental health problems so it\u2019s quite a tranquil, peaceful environment and it aids in their recovery process; maybe people from addictions backgrounds, having a rural location is actually quite useful if you\u2019re maybe going through detox and things like that because you\u2019ve not got access to substances as easy. ‘(LA)<\/em><\/p>\nDuring working hours the key workers\u2019 roles involve significant educational aspects to strengthen the residents\u2019 independence. They work actively to ensure that the timing and relevance of their support fits the needs of the residents. Personal outcome goals are set at the beginning of residency and reviewed weekly in progress meetings. Residents at the farm are encouraged, but not expected, to participate in work at the farm.<\/p>\n
Volunteers<\/h3>\n
The recruitment of volunteers takes place on an international scale. The organisation\u2019s values are explained to potential applicants who are asked to describe their learning needs in order to be considered for interview. It is imperative for the organisation that volunteers can fit into a culture where the question ‘what can we learn and change?’ is asked continuously.<\/p>\n
‘ … one of my big things in the recruitment process is that people show that they have learning needs… if they say they don\u2019t have any learning needs, for me, that\u2019s an immediate flag that somebody\u2019s not going to work in this organisation well, because, to me, you have to have learning…\u00a0 we state that we\u2019re looking for people to live and learn together…’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\nVolunteers cite the biggest challenge of their role as maintaining energy and motivation, however, resilience is built up through learning to deal with common issues with new residents.\u00a0The dynamic relationship between residents and volunteers is enriching for both parties as they learn the important values of open mindedness towards where people have come from and where they want to go.<\/p>\n
The volunteering role is time-tabled so as to secure stability in the house. Volunteers are expected to act as role models, setting an example for the residents by following house rules, be on time for their shifts and do house chores. Each volunteer has a mentor who they see for an hour each week to support them in their own development. Furthermore, volunteers are tasked with teaching basic domestic skills, including cooking and cleaning.<\/p>\n
‘Some people can\u2019t get up every day and can\u2019t motivate themselves to be doing everyday things that other people find is just normal and that you can go out and do that.\u00a0 It could be getting up and helping somebody make that first cup of tea that they\u2019ve never made; it\u2019s small things, but it\u2019s all that that makes a difference\u2026’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\nImprovement<\/h3>\n
Cyrenians has developed an improvement matrix methodology which centres around continuous reviews within community meetings. These are chaired and minuted by the communities themselves, although one or two staff members are present.<\/p>\n
‘…we constantly review what we do informally, so every week we have community meetings in each of the separate houses, and that\u2019s for the community members themselves, so they chair and minute that.\u00a0 We facilitate it and there\u2019ll be one or two staff members there, but… that\u2019s for the house members to look at what they\u2019re doing in the house and how they can change, so a lot of the rules are set by the house members.\u00a0 We have a couple of rules around safety and drugs and alcohol use and things like that, but the majority of the rules are actually set by the house members, and they\u2019re reviewed whenever house members want to review those.\u00a0 So that, to me, is a way of constant improvement because we\u2019re fitting with whatever individuals or groups are living there at the time.’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\n![\"kitchen\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/files\/2015\/06\/kitchen.jpg\")
Flickr – Jocelyn Durston (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe house members look at what they are currently doing in the house and how they can change that for the better. This\u00a0means that many rules are set within the community itself, although there are a few permanent rules around safety and drugs and alcohol use.\u00a0 This constant improvement ensures that the culture and environment is adapted to the individuals living there at any given time, so that they can develop healthy life skills.<\/p>\n
‘It\u2019s addressing it and it\u2019s holding people accountable for their actions and for what they\u2019re doing, because most people that come here are adults or aged sixteen to thirty, so not to say if they\u2019ve done something wrong, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s OK\u2026 it\u2019s addressing the issues and getting the support that they then need to be able to work through the issues.’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\nThe success of the collaborative day-to-day management of the two locations has had direct impact on wider organisational development:<\/p>\n
‘We used to do annual planning days which were for staff only, and last year we decided to actually just make it a community-wide planning day. So everybody was invited: volunteers, residents and staff, and we had our planning day together, and that was just amazing. We realised at that point, \u201cWhy did we not always do that?\u201d and realised that actually just having staff there was such a narrow focus that it didn\u2019t bring the same ideas and dynamics as having everybody there. So we\u2019ve decided we\u2019re always going to have our annual planning day open to everybody in the communities.’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\nBig Lottery funded project<\/h3>\n
Since 2013, Cyrenians have received funding from the Big Lottery for a project aiming to \u2018build skills for learning, life and work; and social and emotional skills to prepare residents for independent living\u2019. All elements of the project are co-designed with the residents and are offered from entry into the service until departure. The residents not only decide the content of the events and courses but also help with the administrative aspects of the work. This blank page approach has so far resulted in a wide variety of learning opportunities for the young people, from increasing skills (literacy, numeracy, digital fluency) to therapeutic interventions (reflexology and stress management) and managing a personal budget.<\/p>\n
‘What we do is when somebody goes into key work there\u2019s different areas, so it might be housing; it might be money management; it might be addictions, so there\u2019s twelve altogether, and they score themselves, so it\u2019s sort of like a traffic light system. It might be something they\u2019re comfortable with, they can manage as an individual, or it might be something that they need support to develop.\u00a0 And they\u2019ll do that individually, and then through that we identify so, \u2018What opportunities can we link you in with, and how can we support you to develop this?\u2019 And then that\u2019s where they might use their personal development budgets to do it.’ (LA)<\/em><\/p>\nIndividual outcomes are tracked quarterly through a twelve-point outcomes measure, which is used in weekly meetings with key workers to guide the conversation and link the young person with other resources that can help them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n
‘Generally the residents and young people we work with are furthest from the labour market so what we need to do is prepare them on that level to applying for jobs and things like that, and work experience, looking at introducing the Skill Development Scotland Work Readiness Certificate.’ (LA)<\/em><\/p>\n![\"lights\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/homelessness\/files\/2015\/06\/light.jpg\")
Flickr – Paul Williams (CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTo date, the project has been evaluated positively and offered more stability for the residents. There is a commitment to continually shape support provided through Cyrenians to meet the needs of residents and volunteers:<\/p>\n
‘From what the residents have said, what the difference is through our evaluation of the project and through the stats that we collect, that actually since the projects came up our occupancy rates, how the longevity our residents stays with us, has increased.\u00a0 On average, to start with, it was three months maybe three years ago, how somebody would stay with us, but now that\u2019s gone up to an average of nine months to a year. So that shows that the approach and the way that we work with people, it\u2019s working for them and we have to adapt that approach to every new resident that comes in, every new volunteer that comes in. ‘(LA)<\/em><\/p>\nVideo<\/h3>\n
The model of Cyrenians\u2019 service delivery is unique to the organisation. Referral is received through formal routes: the social work department or throughcare and aftercare, and self-referral can occur. The service accepts residents between 16-30 years of age. Predominantly, \u00a0the city community takes in younger people and the farm takes the older applicants. Once a referral has been accepted, the young person is invited to visit the community and undergoes an assessment, followed by lunch with the group and then one overnight stay, to get\u00a0the feel of the place before committing to moving in. On\u00a0moving in, the residents become members of the community.<\/p>\n
\n‘…the model itself for the communities is so unique; the fact that we have volunteers who live alongside the young people who come to us, referred through social work, just that in itself is completely unique.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know of anywhere else that does it the way that we do… the idea is that the people who live in the houses are community members…’ (CB)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The majority of the time, volunteers and residents work out all domestic and inter-personal issues between themselves. Volunteers are taught conflict resolution in\u00a0training and will put this into use in times of confrontation in the house. The idea behind this set-up is that the people who live in the houses act as active community members, practising skills in the evenings and weekends when staff are not around to guide them.<\/p>\n
‘I just think it\u2019s the whole ethos about the company and what the company is all about, and it is about giving that person the chance for a normal life and some other organisations don\u2019t give them that chance, whereas here we do.\u00a0 We\u2019re open minded to where people have come from and where they\u2019re wanting to go, and how hard at times it can be.’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\n
Flickr – Ellen van Deelen (CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Evidence from Cyrenians\u2019 own analysis indicates that residents develop a more robust ability to act independently and respect boundaries. They learn by doing rather than by\u00a0being told. People are given options and are expected to make their own choices.<\/p>\n
The farm environment<\/strong><\/p>\n
The farm provides a unique setting and many\u00a0benefits for people who desire tranquility. It aids the recovery of people with mental health issues and those trying to detox as it removes them geographically from known triggers. Although farm work is not compulsory, many residents do take part. The theoretical purpose of the work is to build up a work ethic, however, residents also achieve qualifications which may boost both their confidence and possibilities for employment in the future.\u00a0 Qualifications include health and hygiene qualifications, required to work with animals and produce, and RIAS certificates. The farm staff have recently added a furniture upcycling project to\u00a0activities at the farm, where residents learn to restore and add value to old furniture. In time, the goal is to establish this as an independent social enterprise.<\/p>\n
Flickr – Tobi Gaulke (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ‘We probably tend to, at the farm, attract maybe more of your older age group, and what they\u2019ve said and what staff have noticed is it really benefits people who want to develop.\u00a0 They might have mental health problems so it\u2019s quite a tranquil, peaceful environment and it aids in their recovery process; maybe people from addictions backgrounds, having a rural location is actually quite useful if you\u2019re maybe going through detox and things like that because you\u2019ve not got access to substances as easy. ‘(LA)<\/em><\/p>\n
During working hours the key workers\u2019 roles involve significant educational aspects to strengthen the residents\u2019 independence. They work actively to ensure that the timing and relevance of their support fits the needs of the residents. Personal outcome goals are set at the beginning of residency and reviewed weekly in progress meetings. Residents at the farm are encouraged, but not expected, to participate in work at the farm.<\/p>\n
Volunteers<\/h3>\n
The recruitment of volunteers takes place on an international scale. The organisation\u2019s values are explained to potential applicants who are asked to describe their learning needs in order to be considered for interview. It is imperative for the organisation that volunteers can fit into a culture where the question ‘what can we learn and change?’ is asked continuously.<\/p>\n
‘ … one of my big things in the recruitment process is that people show that they have learning needs… if they say they don\u2019t have any learning needs, for me, that\u2019s an immediate flag that somebody\u2019s not going to work in this organisation well, because, to me, you have to have learning…\u00a0 we state that we\u2019re looking for people to live and learn together…’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\n
Volunteers cite the biggest challenge of their role as maintaining energy and motivation, however, resilience is built up through learning to deal with common issues with new residents.\u00a0The dynamic relationship between residents and volunteers is enriching for both parties as they learn the important values of open mindedness towards where people have come from and where they want to go.<\/p>\n
The volunteering role is time-tabled so as to secure stability in the house. Volunteers are expected to act as role models, setting an example for the residents by following house rules, be on time for their shifts and do house chores. Each volunteer has a mentor who they see for an hour each week to support them in their own development. Furthermore, volunteers are tasked with teaching basic domestic skills, including cooking and cleaning.<\/p>\n
‘Some people can\u2019t get up every day and can\u2019t motivate themselves to be doing everyday things that other people find is just normal and that you can go out and do that.\u00a0 It could be getting up and helping somebody make that first cup of tea that they\u2019ve never made; it\u2019s small things, but it\u2019s all that that makes a difference\u2026’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\n
Improvement<\/h3>\n
Cyrenians has developed an improvement matrix methodology which centres around continuous reviews within community meetings. These are chaired and minuted by the communities themselves, although one or two staff members are present.<\/p>\n
‘…we constantly review what we do informally, so every week we have community meetings in each of the separate houses, and that\u2019s for the community members themselves, so they chair and minute that.\u00a0 We facilitate it and there\u2019ll be one or two staff members there, but… that\u2019s for the house members to look at what they\u2019re doing in the house and how they can change, so a lot of the rules are set by the house members.\u00a0 We have a couple of rules around safety and drugs and alcohol use and things like that, but the majority of the rules are actually set by the house members, and they\u2019re reviewed whenever house members want to review those.\u00a0 So that, to me, is a way of constant improvement because we\u2019re fitting with whatever individuals or groups are living there at the time.’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\n
Flickr – Jocelyn Durston (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The house members look at what they are currently doing in the house and how they can change that for the better. This\u00a0means that many rules are set within the community itself, although there are a few permanent rules around safety and drugs and alcohol use.\u00a0 This constant improvement ensures that the culture and environment is adapted to the individuals living there at any given time, so that they can develop healthy life skills.<\/p>\n
‘It\u2019s addressing it and it\u2019s holding people accountable for their actions and for what they\u2019re doing, because most people that come here are adults or aged sixteen to thirty, so not to say if they\u2019ve done something wrong, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s OK\u2026 it\u2019s addressing the issues and getting the support that they then need to be able to work through the issues.’ (SM)<\/em><\/p>\n
The success of the collaborative day-to-day management of the two locations has had direct impact on wider organisational development:<\/p>\n
‘We used to do annual planning days which were for staff only, and last year we decided to actually just make it a community-wide planning day. So everybody was invited: volunteers, residents and staff, and we had our planning day together, and that was just amazing. We realised at that point, \u201cWhy did we not always do that?\u201d and realised that actually just having staff there was such a narrow focus that it didn\u2019t bring the same ideas and dynamics as having everybody there. So we\u2019ve decided we\u2019re always going to have our annual planning day open to everybody in the communities.’ (CB)<\/em><\/p>\n
Big Lottery funded project<\/h3>\n
Since 2013, Cyrenians have received funding from the Big Lottery for a project aiming to \u2018build skills for learning, life and work; and social and emotional skills to prepare residents for independent living\u2019. All elements of the project are co-designed with the residents and are offered from entry into the service until departure. The residents not only decide the content of the events and courses but also help with the administrative aspects of the work. This blank page approach has so far resulted in a wide variety of learning opportunities for the young people, from increasing skills (literacy, numeracy, digital fluency) to therapeutic interventions (reflexology and stress management) and managing a personal budget.<\/p>\n
‘What we do is when somebody goes into key work there\u2019s different areas, so it might be housing; it might be money management; it might be addictions, so there\u2019s twelve altogether, and they score themselves, so it\u2019s sort of like a traffic light system. It might be something they\u2019re comfortable with, they can manage as an individual, or it might be something that they need support to develop.\u00a0 And they\u2019ll do that individually, and then through that we identify so, \u2018What opportunities can we link you in with, and how can we support you to develop this?\u2019 And then that\u2019s where they might use their personal development budgets to do it.’ (LA)<\/em><\/p>\n
Individual outcomes are tracked quarterly through a twelve-point outcomes measure, which is used in weekly meetings with key workers to guide the conversation and link the young person with other resources that can help them achieve their goals.<\/p>\n
‘Generally the residents and young people we work with are furthest from the labour market so what we need to do is prepare them on that level to applying for jobs and things like that, and work experience, looking at introducing the Skill Development Scotland Work Readiness Certificate.’ (LA)<\/em><\/p>\n
Flickr – Paul Williams (CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n To date, the project has been evaluated positively and offered more stability for the residents. There is a commitment to continually shape support provided through Cyrenians to meet the needs of residents and volunteers:<\/p>\n
‘From what the residents have said, what the difference is through our evaluation of the project and through the stats that we collect, that actually since the projects came up our occupancy rates, how the longevity our residents stays with us, has increased.\u00a0 On average, to start with, it was three months maybe three years ago, how somebody would stay with us, but now that\u2019s gone up to an average of nine months to a year. So that shows that the approach and the way that we work with people, it\u2019s working for them and we have to adapt that approach to every new resident that comes in, every new volunteer that comes in. ‘(LA)<\/em><\/p>\n
Video<\/h3>\n