Lifeskills Programme

The Friends First Lifeskills Programme is an integral part of life in the house. As part of the resident’s license agreement there is an expectation that people will help with the day-to-day running of a communal house, use their time purposefully and productively as well as focus on working through personal difficulties and issues.

Each week residents will need to help cook meals, clean an area of the house, attend a community meeting, meet with their keyworker and pay their rent.

These ‘core’ duties form the foundation for a person’s stay, upon which they are free to choose from a selection of other activities to work in unison with their support needs and individual strengths and gifting. 

Our holistic approach considers that emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well being are all important, interlinked parts of an overall whole.  

The emphasis of the lifeskills programme is geared toward work, learning and individual support needs but there are several recreational and therapeutic activities available.

Each member of the staff team can facilitate a variety of lifeskills based either on their experience, training, interests or expertise with access to a wide range of activities, training and therapies outside of the Friends First house.

Lifeskills sessions are offered on a flexible basis, some are group focused whilst others are offered as one-to-one sessions. As part of the Life Skills Programme residents are helped to access training and education. If appropriate they are encouraged to seek voluntary or part time work as a way into full time employment.

Each resident that successfully completes a lifeskills course receives a certificate of achievement and a credit into a ‘move-on’ savings fund to assist with rental deposits, moving costs, furniture etc

Some of the lifeskills we offer include:
Numeracy and Literacy, Money Management, IT Skills, Cookery, Move-on Planning, Art Therapy, Preparing For Work, Workshop Projects, Creative Writing, Swimming, Music Lessons, Family Trees.

We also work with other agencies in Brighton and Hove including:
Business Action On Homelessness, Working Links, YMCA Working Support Service, B&H Supported Employment Team, Creative Futures, Learn Direct