Manager’s Report 2008

Friends First’ started with the efforts of a group of volunteers from CCK who began befriending homeless people in the Brighton & Hove area in 1990 and provided a weekly 'drop-in' for those on the margins of the local community, feeding about fifty people per week. We quickly found that about eighty percent of those we served often faced life-controlling problems and social exclusion which present significant barriers to employment.

This September Friends First Supported House celebrated its sixth anniversary. We offer eight men and four women who have been homeless, and are in need of support a maximum stay of eighteen months in which to participate in a wide-ranging life-skills programme, which helps to establish the disciplines and patterns of life essential for independent living. We work closely with other agencies in the City that support marginalised people.

Friends First is part of the Council’s Integrated Support Pathway that seeks to provide a structured way for homeless people to gain appropriate help at each stage of their journey. The house currently has a dedicated team of six full-time staff, plus a manager and a part-time administrator.

The experience of life within a small caring community allows opportunities for socialisation essential for personal development.

A key part of the work at the house involves preparing residents for moving on and our resettlement and support programme has been important in helping them to establish their own independence and secure accommodation & employment.

Over the years we have changed our emphasis away from encouraging total independence towards a more biblical model of interdependence. Residents are encouraged to build a supportive network of relationships and to ask for help when it is needed rather than struggling on alone.

Residents have suggested two initiatives that have become part of our life skills this year.
The first has been the creation of a vegetable garden. Residents have worked alongside a skilled volunteer to produce a wonderful crop of fresh produce which has supplemented the evening meals over many weeks.
The second project has been to build a sound proof media and music room. Residents have been involved in designing and building the room (Link).

It is encouraging to see people seize the opportunities that the house offers. One of the female residents started a business course last year and after many challenges and setbacks was recently awarded the City Entrepreneur Prize.

Friends First remains a challenging but inspirational place to work thanks to the wonderful staff team and the many characters who pass through our doors.

Rob Liddiard, 29/12/2008