ALDI STOCKTON

We support homeless males to get their lives back on track by providing safe and secure accommodation. We do this by supporting the individual to register with a doctor dentist ensuring better health and wellbeing. We have 29 places over three buildings and help all ages our referrals come from all surrounding North East HMP Prisons, Probation services and Regional borough council homeless departments. A lot of our clients have very low incomes so rely on foodbanks and donations to get them through the week or month as Universal credit claims are paid monthly this can be a very long time to money manage. Who are we? We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) working in and around the Stockton-on-Tees area supporting males with a varying range of complex needs, including but not limited to: Mental Health Needs, Autism/Asperges, Learning Difficulties, Drug and Alcohol Substance Misuse Difficulties as well as being or at risk of being homeless. We currently have 3 sites: Portrack Lane Project, Westbourne Street Project, and Yarm Road Project. Our vision is simple; “Providing Opportunities, Hope and Fresh Starts to those in need” we work with males that are homeless or at risk of homelessness providing housing related support and social inclusion related support. We aim to provide our care and support in a person-centered holistic approach. We understand and are disheartened by the stigma associated with Mental Health and substance misuse difficulties. We try and raise awareness for our colleagues in partnering agencies with the view of reducing the stigma associated with such needs. Should your organization like some awareness regarding Mental Health and Substance misuse difficulties, please feel free to contact us on the details provided at the end of this newsletter. We offer support both in the projects and on an “outreach” basis working with males struggling with substance misuse difficulties and complex needs including mental health needs.

Most residents have multiple complex needs which may include issues around, debt management, substance misuse (both legal and illegal), mental health issues, general health, life skills, domestic violence, offending (including prolific offenders and sex offenders), self harm, sex working and education & training. The service takes in residents through a robust referral system and requires input from outside agencies. Potential residents are risk assessed and their initial support needs identified before being offered accommodation. The service is happy to manage risk, not avoid it, so there are very few individuals who are refused a bed. All residents are offered supported accommodation for up to two years during which they will be supported to address their different issues and achieve independent living. Support is delivered by members of staff 24 hours a day, through a programme of 4 projects; 1. Accommodation Project Provides a bed, breakfast and an evening meal. All residents are given a Transition Coach to work alongside them and have a personalised asset-based support plan. Working in partnership with other agencies the service provides emotional, offending, behaviour management, mental health, addiction and self-harming support. Bridge House Signposts to local or national organisations when appropriate, helps with filling in forms and claiming benefits and provides help and advice with managing money and paying bills. 2. Legal & Clerical Project Our Legal and Clerical Project is administered by Emma. This project aims to reduce offending and increase rehabilitation when offenders are released from prison. This project provides; character statements for court, court applications, emotions during court cases, attends court with residents, liaison with other legal services, monitoring of prolific offenders and sex offenders, visits and correspondence while in custody and partnership working with Probation Service, Public Protection Unit and Cleveland Police. Emma is also responsible for support delivered to the female residents. 3. Health Fitness and Leisure Project Our Health Fitness and Leisure Project is administered by Kevin. This project aims to increase the wellbeing of residents, increasing confidence and outlook by; developing a timetable of health, fitness and leisure activities, encourage residents to be physically active, boost moral by participating in sporting competitions, inspiring residents outlook by accompanying them on out of area activities such as camping and hiking, identifying , encourage and arrange participation in community activities. 4. Advocacy and Prevention Project. This project aims to keep the residents safe and provide education to the wider community around preventative work. We hold Naloxone and a defibrillator onsite and collect and dispose of approx. 500 used syringes each month.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise. This is more than food and is part of a supportive services platform to help people get sustained in their own individual way. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the impact stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and brand new clothing to people facing a temporary challenge. Whatever supermarkets, stores, and retailers can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. This is a response to real people in real-time. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes, soup kitchens and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with food donations. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. All are invited to become part of these sustainable stories in your local community. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: https://www.looprun-sciv.online/