Spring Newsletter 2019
Spring may be the most eagerly awaited season
It is a time of hope and joyfulness, a time of beginnings, a time of energy and vigour.
This Spring has been extremely busy for each of our schemes; with much hope that you will continue to support our work, joy as those we support progress, achieve goals and improve their lives, new beginnings for new staff and new projects as well as staff working tirelessly to drive Impact Living forward.
Donations
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Waitrose for shortlisting Impact Living in their Green Token Scheme, which managed to raise £440 and awareness to hundreds of shoppers who voted for us.
Tenants within our Wilfred Drive scheme also wish to thank Sheffield Christian Life Centre for their extremely generous donation of Easter eggs;
“If I hadn’t gotten an Easter Egg from you, I’d have had nothing for Easter as I have no family and would have been on my own”.
With special thanks to Rachel and Terrence Clark, Dawn Hamilton and Bev Page who made a significant contribution.
Huge thanks to Bradbury’s Jewellers in Halifax for your amazing £100 gift toward a starter pack for a homeless tenant who came to Impact with nothing.
Such kind donations and funding support from you all not only enables those we support to find their feet, but helps them to feel valued!
Memorable experiences
Every Summer we like to create fulfilling memories for tenants who are making progress in their personal support programs and for those who’d benefit from a much-needed respite break.
Last year staff and tenants from each scheme came together in Whitby, making the most of the sunshine, fish, chips and ice-cream.
This year, we would like to raise funds, to take tenants to the seaside, or if possible, Flamingo Land (or both)! To do this we need to hire transport plus entry tickets to the theme park.
The average cost to hire transport for a day is £613 and group admission is £31 per person. Tenants will contribute toward half of the cost.
If you wish to donate toward this experience, we would be extremely grateful, please follow the link below:
https://www.impactliving.org/support-us/
Impact Living is now registered on the Facebook Charity Fundraiser list, so if you would like to get involved, please search and select Impact Living on the Facebook Fundraiser page.
For example, instead of friends or family buying you a birthday card this year, they could donate to Impact Living through your Birthday Fundraiser.
Family Fund
Over the years, our support workers have worked very closely with the Family Fund to provide funding packages to care leavers and young families who are trying to better their circumstances and improve their opportunities.
Funding packages are varied, including white goods, equipment such as laptops to enable individuals to complete qualifications, clothing and bedding for children of young parents on low incomes as well as cooking and cleaning starter packs for those who have moved into their new home with nothing.
Claire and Alfie’s Story
By Niamh Doran (Support Worker, Holmewood Scheme)
What We did
Claire has lived with Impact for 2 years now and has settled in well; taking on board staff support from day one. She moved into Impact following the passing of her mother and a relationship break down.
Claire is currently living with her one-year old son Alfie who is a very happy, healthy child and really enjoys interactions with staff and other tenants.
A few months ago, Claire came to me, as she was panicking that her washing machine had broken down and she was worried about how she was going to financially afford a new one or be able to afford to take her and Alfie’s clothes to the local launderette while on a low income. I reassured Claire that together we could make an application to the Family Fund and that they might be able to help provide her with what she needs.
I made the application on behalf of Claire and Alfie, as Claire struggles with reading and writing due to her Dyslexia. The application was very straight forward, easy to understand and use.
What We Achieved
Claire’s application was successful and she was awarded a £250.00 voucher for a new washer-dryer, which she was very happy and relieved about. Claire even used this money to order Alfie some new clothes which was much needed.
This has impacted Claire’s family in a lot of ways as she now feels like she can provide her son with clean and dry clothes, as well as improving her mental wellbeing; knowing that Alfie is taken care of.
Claire would like to add:
“Niamh has helped me in many ways since she has been my support worker. She has helped me to grow as a person and become a better mother to my son, she has supported me through a number of difficult decisions, that I have had to make recently. Niamh is always happy to help.”
Food Surplus
Over the last year, Impact have signed up to a number of food surplus donation schemes, including through the charity FareShare. Thank you to all local stores and restaurants that are involved, including:
- Greggs
- Tesco
- Nandos
- Aldi
- Lidl
Also, thank you to the staff who volunteer their time to collect and distribute the surplus food that has been donated. Not only is this making a difference to those who are socially disadvantaged, it is also combatting climate change, by reducing the greenhouse emissions associated with food waste.
Staff Development
High quality care and support requires great leadership and management. We aim for all our schemes to be well-led by managers who lead by example, setting high quality standards, whether that be through recruiting managers with the appropriate qualifications or supporting aspiring managers within our teams to reach the required qualifications.
Congratulations to Mark Mitchell, Care Quality and Service Manager, for achieving Level 5 Diploma for Leadership in Health and Social Care. We wish you all the best of luck in your role as you inspire and lead your team with the skills and knowledge you have attained.
Well done to all staff who have recently completed their Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges through the Skills Network.
You’re A Star Awards
This year, Idris, a finalist for the BDCT ‘You’re A Star Awards’ invited dedicated Housing Manager, Tony Hields and his support team, to be involved in his nomination film. This would help judges to decide winners, as well as be featured during the awards evening, which is taking place on 28thJune 2019:
“Every year we highlight, honour and celebrate individuals across our organisation who have been nominated by their colleagues for going the extra mile to make a real difference to others.
Inspired by our vision of providing the best possible care for the people of Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven our ‘You’re a Star Awards’ event recognises staff from all areas of our Trust.” BDCT
Idris has been nominated for the category; ‘Unsung Hero.’ He is “a dedicated recovery coordinator for the early intervention psychosis team, who often goes the extra mile to ensure that the needs of the patients he serves are met” BDCT.
Idris wanted to acknowledge Impact Living as part of his nomination, due to working jointly with the support team supporting an individual he had referred to us. Working together had proven effective in enabling the individual to rehabilitate into the community as well as manage his own tenancy.
Good Luck Idris from everyone at Impact Living!
https://www.bdct.nhs.uk/working-for-us/working-for-us/youre-star-awards/
https://www.bdct.nhs.uk/healthcare-heroes-to-be-honoured-at-youre-a-star-awards-2019/
Purbeck Support Office – Now Open!
In our previous edition, we told you all about the brand-new Purbeck Court Support Office.
We are ready to announce that we are now open to tenants, professionals and visitors!
The Purbeck Support Office is managed by Housing Manager, Tony Hields, who is joined by support workers; Niamh Doran and Jo Kinsella.
The new office will enable more access to our support services for local tenants as well as improve safety and security to those living within the area.
The office includes a meeting room, which will provide a hub for professionals such as social workers visiting tenants and the support team as well as to community services in the area, including the local policing team. It will also enable a drop-in service for rents and benefits advice as well as general housing support. 
Rate our Service
We value any feedback from you about how we are doing and have created a new page on our website called “Rate our Service”
Your views and suggestions will help us to monitor and improve the service, please take a few minutes to complete the form in the link below.
https://www.impactliving.org/rate-our-service/
Photo by Sarah Doffman on Unsplash
The Bluebell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air:
Its blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit’s care.
~ Emily Bronte