Latest News from Colebrook
South West Supported Housing Month
We are one of around 650 south west organisations providing more than 2,800 vital personalised support services to nearly 103,000 people in the region. Our work tackles social exclusion and promotes sustainable communities. We are proud to empower people to achieve their potential.
Join us in celebrating South West Supported Housing Month throughout March 2010. For moer information, please see The National Housing Federation website.
Transition Event
Colebrook recently attended a Plymouth City Council "Transition" event at the Guildhall which was reported in The Herald.
Mayoral visit to Duncan House
On the 19th October clients and staff at Duncan House were pleased to receive the Mayor and councillor of Saltash Pill – Sue Hooper and her consort. They were invited to the Supported Housing project in order to see the good work that is being undertaken by the clients at Duncan House. The project is run and managed by Colebrook Housing Society in partnership with Westcountry Housing Association who own the building.
The project has been successfully running since 1999 and provides accommodation and support to people with mental health needs. As well as the obvious benefits to the clients who use the service, it also helps Cornwall meet its local area agreement objectives.
Colebrook Housing Society and Westcountry Housing Association have been working together successfully since 1983 and continue to have many projects together in Plymouth and Saltash.
The project is funded by Cornwall Supporting People and has made a huge difference in the lives of people who have used the service – If you would like more information about Duncan House or Colebrook Housing Society or would like a referral pack or be added to our vacancy list – please feel free to contact 01752 205210 or email enquiries@colebrookhousing.co.uk
Mayor Sue Hooper and Consort
Robin Rimmer
Nic Gibbs
Shelley Sanderson
Felonious Mongoose fund 2009
This fund was set up following a bequest to the society in memory of an ex staff member who was big on technology.
The fund in total was for £500.00 and was intended to support a minimum of 3 clients per year. As such it was decided that the fairest way to allocate the money would be to aim for satisfying 5 applications, giving each person £100, 00 towards their purchase.
The fund was presented and promoted to clients of Colebrook Housing Society as a way of promoting independence for anyone interested in computers and technology. It was intended to encourage clients to access technology as a way of decreasing isolation, achieving social inclusion and gaining skills. It was also to promote self–help as each successful applicant was expected to contribute some money towards whatever they wanted to purchase, with the fund making a contribution as well.
In all, 8 applications were received and 5 awards were made. One application was submitted – unfortunately – after the fund was exhausted. Another unsuccessful application which was submitted by someone with financial management issues which made an award inappropriate until those had been dealt with. The applicant was informed of this but did not manage to resolve the issues so an award was not made. The third application was unsuccessful as the person concerned was not able to provide the required contribution from their own money.
The 5 successful applicants all bought laptop computers. The applicants had various reasons for wanting to buy a computer as follows:
Client feedback / Beneficiaries of the Fund
- (A computer) will help me with getting job that I can do with my medical problems and upgrade my computer skills
- If you can buy me a laptop I could go onto the internet. Corin gave me a computer but it’s very out of date. I need a new one to get on the internet. I would like to go on the internet so I can do internet banking and to maintain social contact when I won’t leave my flat.
- (A computer) could help with communication skills, reading and writing – make me more confident in using computers
- (A computer would help me in) researching information, pay bills online, improve my computer skills.
- It will help me develop new skills in digital photography and also to build up new and existing support networks
The fund was much appreciated by the successful applicants as is shown by the above. It allowed beneficiaries to use technology in ways that will improve their ability to access services and facilities, help people develop their skills and improve their employment prospects.
Mary Partridge
Social Inclusion Manager
October 2009
Colebrook Housing is Host to the Plymouth Local Involvement Network (LINk). Our website is now up and running. To find out more about us, please click here: www.plymouth-link.co.uk
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