Resettlement Work

From unemployment to executive

Many of our residents find that making the move from Friends First into private or independent accommodation is generally an extremely difficult change to manage. Where support, friendship and community have been only a corridor away, the reality of living independently can be a real shock. Loneliness and feelings of isolation are common; old ways to cope with difficulties can seem all the more tempting.

Over the last two and a half years Friends First has managed to secure charitable funding to release Tim Earey, a member of its full-time staff team, to support ex-residents who are now living independently.

Residents of Friends First can stay at the house for up to 18 months and often strong relationships are formed. It is these trusting relationships that are key for any continuing support to be effective and productive.

Friends First established its first move-on accommodation in November 2007. Through the generosity and support of the ethical investment company Green Pastures, we were able to choose a property in the Portslade area of Hove to support residents back into independent living.

Currently Friends First supports 14 people who live in less-supported or private rented accommodation. Our involvement ranges from occasionally meeting a friendly face for a coffee, weekly one-to-one support and pastoral care right through to relationship mediation and tenancy sustainment work. We have been delighted to see 13 of those 14 people sustaining their independence. One ex-resident, after years out of full time work, has secured a prestigious position within a world-famous company!

Our hope for the lives we serve has always been, and continues to be, to see people rescued from the brokenness of their circumstances, restored in mind, body and spirit and released with real hope and support into their futures.