West London YMCA

Developing opportunities that transform young lives…

Ealing Common YMCA – a stepping stone to independence

Presented by…

Shamil Sharshek,

Housing Project Manager

Introduction

Overall Aim:To create opportunities for young people to thrive in

suitable accommodation with the right support to move to independence

Specific Aims:To improve young people’s emotional wellbeingTo improve YP life-skills to ready them for independent

living To enable young people to engage in positive activities

(employment, volunteering, training and education) and maintain them

12/04/23 617 clients / 422 units 3

Housing Department Structure

Area Housing Manager(maternity leave)

Director of Housing

Area Housing ManagerArea A

Area Housing ManagerArea B

Housing Manager25 SMR – 184 units

Housing ManagerGreenford – 13 units

Personal Assistant

Area Housing ManagerVentura House – 82 units

Housing ManagerSt Christopher’s – 41 units

Housing ManagerNortholt Grange – 10 units

Housing ManagerUxbridge – 23 units

Area Housing Manager Roxeth Gate – 42 units

Housing ManagerEaling Common – 26 units

Area Housing ManagerJupiter House – 102 units

Housing ManagerEaling Floating Support20 clients

Area Housing ManagerHillingdon Floating Support45 clients

Project ManagerSupported Lodgings28 clients

Planned PreventativeMaintenance Manager

12/04/23 4

EALING COMMON PROJECT

Housing Manager

Housing Support Officer

Housing Support Officer

Cleaner

Weekend Duty Officer

Weekend Duty Officer

Ealing Common Service Provision The Ealing Common hostel provides 26 self contained flats to young

people between the ages of 16-35 with low to medium support needs. Who the Service is for Men and women aged 16-35 years Single. (for accommodation purposes) Those capable of basic personal care Those with low-medium support needs may include:-

A learning difficulty Mental health problems (low risk) Physical disabilities which do not preclude access to the facilities A history of non-violent drug or alcohol abuse Criminal records and be on probation HIV/epilepsy or other physical illness. Refugees Pregnant. (up to 36 weeks gestation) Homeless

The service cannot accommodate people who:-•Have a physical or learning difficulty, which renders them unable to use the accommodation without assistance. •Are identified by a referring agency or the assessing officer as having a significant and/or recent history of violence or abusive behaviour, arson or sexual offences. •Need assistance with bathing or other significant assistance with personal care. •Need staff involvement in the administration of medication.

Accessing the Service

The London Borough of Ealing’s Specialist Support Services have referral rights to 8 bed spaces. These bed spaces are also used for internal transfers. When a bed space becomes available a Housing Officer will notify the Specialist Support Services or YMCA hostels by telephone and email.

The London Borough of Ealing’s Social services (Care Leavers Team – Access to Resources Team) have referral rights to 17 bed spaces. Applicants should make an appointment with the Housing Officer.

Our support workers are able to give advice on:

advice and information on budgeting accessing appropriate health care counselling/support groups training and employment opportunities assistance with benefit claims and involvement in social activities

both within the hostel and in the wider community.

Some specialist staff also assist residents by providing: basic skills tuition computer courses employment skills including interview techniques CV building and job search ESOL classes practical living skills

Housing Project Management

Financial management, including budget management, rent collection, grant management, income maximisation, void turnover

Staff management, including personal development & training, appraisals, supervision

Building management, including Health & Safety, maintenance, risk assessment, insurance

Partnership working, joint working, contract management, community engagement & liaison

Community fundraisingWest London YMCA Garden Project

A bit of history Ealing Rotaract supported West London YMCA They raised funds and helped with a couple of small projects However we came in with a slightly bigger proposal…

Ealing Common Hostel

Takes in disadvantaged young people for anything from 2 weeks to 2 years

Helps them to find jobs and eventually a place of their own

We had a garden, a LARGE garden!

When Rotaract first arrived it was a huge lawn with a tree in the middle

YMCA Garden Proposal

6.3m

2.7m

2.7m

1.5m

6.3m

3.0m

1.1m

2.7m1.6m

Patio / rampPath

2.4m

17m

11.5m

18.4m

1.5m

6.5m

16m

SummerHouse

Path

Main Flower BedWith path through

middle – 4m diameter

Existing tree

Paving stone path through the lawn

Flower beds – 2 circular beds & one rectangular

Stone paved circle with gazebo for relaxation

Flower bed

Small Flower

bed

Stone pavedcircle with

gazebo

Project Launch Party

We decided to have a Joint Launch Party with YMCA employees, residents and Rotaractors

Also helped to keep hostel residents informed and involved in what we were doing

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the project consisted of:

Finding tools!Digging & planting the main and rectangular flower

bedsDecided to do flower beds first so they had time

to mature during the yearUsed funds raised before

It was hard work, mainly as the ground was rock hard and full of builders rubble

A large flower bed seemed like a good idea on the plans….!

The finished main flower bed

A tired group of Rotaractors! We were also joined by Rotarians and hostel residents

Phase 2

Commissioning the professional landscape company to lay down the patio and path from Indian stones

Garden Opening Party

What did we learn?

Gardening is VERY hard work

Bark stinks!Digging pick axes into

rocks can do your back in!

We are all very unfit

HOWEVER - It was a very

rewarding experienceThe end result was

superbGreatly appreciated

Fundraising

Total amount raised for the project was £3,186!

Phase 1 cost £632.77Rotaract raised funds

through our their own activities as well as joint activities with the YMCA

Our most successful single event was a “Quingo Night” held in February 2008 Included an auction for a

pair of VIP tickets to “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross”

Evening was sponsored by Barclays who provided our quizmaster / bingo caller and doubled the amount raised on the night (a total of £1,135!)

Community and business partners and Involvement activities Princes Trust – Team

building for young people

BP – Green House project

Tesco – Greenbelt festival

Barclays – Prague festival

Resident activitiesYouth BoardComplaints reviewHealth & Safety &

Risk assessmentDecision makingJack Petchey AwardPolicy review

Further reading…

Visit

www.westlondonymca.org

www.linkedin.com/in/shamilsharshek

Thank you… any ?