Lewes District Churches HOMELINK

Welcome to

Friends of HOMELINK

Annual Meeting 2010

2009

A Year of Consolidation

andThe busiest year so far

For those who are not familiar with HOMELINK

we provide a rapid overview

in the next few slides

Why was HOMELINK started?

• Local Action Group

• Local need – to help homeless people – falling through the net– not eligible for Council help

• Single people (including divorced and

separated)• Couples without dependent children

3

HOMELINK’s Main Aim

• To reduce homelessness

in Lewes District

HOMELINK has

Four Specific Aims

1. To offer advice and/or financial help

• for rent in advance and damage deposits

• to people facing homelessness

• for whom a tenancy in the private sector is appropriate

• and who are judged to be in need of such help and

likely to sustain a tenancy

2. To refer applicants

• where appropriate

• to other sources of help and advice

• related to their need for a home

3. To offer help to tenants

• to maintain their tenancies

4. To recover loans

• over a suitable period • wherever possible • so funds can be recycled • into helping other homeless people

HOMELINK Patrons

The Rt Revd Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes

The Rt Revd Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton

The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the URC Southern Province

Rev. Dr David M Chapman Methodist Superintendent, Central Sussex United Area

Peter Field Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex

Norman Baker, MP

Communicationsgroup

liaises with Reps and Friends by Email

and Newsletters

Fund-Raising Cttee organises events

Board of Trustees

Churches Together Nominating Bodies

Ops group works on

office admin. and procedures

Co-ordinator organises volunteers

and liaises with LDCHomelessness Officerand Sussex Pathways

The Structure of HOMELINK

Friends of HOMELINK

Volunteers interview

applicants andassist with admin.

Chair of Fund-Raising Cttee Line Manager to Co-ordinator

Strategy group works on

funding applications and future strategy

Consultantsadvise on procedures and legal matters

Office Space

Thanks to

Age Concern, Lewes we share an office in

the House of Friendship on School Hill

3

Interviewing Space

Thanks to

The Summerhayes Centre we can interview

in Newhaven

The Summerhayes Centre

Summerhayes houses CAB offering specialist advice on Debt and Welfare Benefits

Two interviewers and if possible two doors for Health and Safety reasons

Amy and Howard interviewing a client

Interviewing Space

Thanks to

Seaford District Council we can interview

in Seaford

at 37, Church Street, Seaford

It’s Police Station, CAB, Tourist Info and Town Council

2009 - 2010

How we did with 2009 issues:

Increasing the number of new tenancies – tripled Supporting tenants – ‘Homeworks’ support used

Working with Sussex Pathways - interviews in Lewes Prison and loans offered

Funding for our Co-ordinator – Henry Smith Charity funding for 3 years

Updating Website - almost ready

How we did with 2009 AppealTrustees from Newhaven and Lewes – in place

Help with Autumn Newsletter and Annual Report –• Communications Group up and running• Email Officer in place• Many Friends now on email• Most Reps on Email• Editor produced Annual Report & Summary• Distribution hubs have distributed New Interviewers – offers in

New members of Fund-Raising Cttee – one new member but more needed

!

In partnership with

HOMELINK

Lewes District Council

Renewal of Agreement with LDC

£12,000 for ‘end-users’

LDC grant of £12,000

• Separate bank account (required by LDC)

• For end-users only, to cover Loans

• Reviewed annually

• For those with or without children

Additional Grants

• Lewes Town Council - £1,000

• Seaford Town Council - £ 150

In Memoriam

We were very sad to lose

Vivienne Challis,

who died in December 2009.

Vivienne served HOMELINK in many ways:

Trustee, Chair of the Fund-Raising Committee,

Raffle Organiser, Food Preparation for Events

Lewes

Richard Bennett

Linda Fisher

Barbara Keal

Liz Mandeville

Verena Smith

Christine Tutt

Seaford

Ann Harvey

Maggie Jakeman

Margaret Lloyd

Diane Lower

Current Trustees

Newhaven

Terry Howell

Rita Harper

Malcolm Mazey

John Shaw

Co-opted

Paula Bartle

Jacqueline Wootton

FULL HOUSE

Jacqueline

Richard

Barbara

Newest Trustees

A Board meeting at Christ Church

Strategy Sub-group at work

Communications Group

Maggie – Email Officer

Ann – Editing and Distribution

Richard - Lewes Distribution

Fund-Raising in 2009

• Individual churches

• Some set up a Subscription

• Some put on an event

• Individual Subscribers

• Fund-Raising Committee

Churches which made kind Donations in 2009

Lewes: Christ Church Lewes Quakers St John-sub-Castro St Michael’s

Newhaven: Denton with S. Heighton & Tarring Neville St Michael’s

Peacehaven: Church of the Ascension

Seaford: St Peter’s, East Blatchington St Thomas More

Telscombe: Church of the Ascension St Lawrence

We have already received kind Donations in 2010

Lewes : Quakers, St Pancras, St John sub CastroSt Pancras have also donated photocopying costs

HOMELINK’s Fund-Raising Cttee

Patricia BarnettRita HarperLaurie HollandMargaret Slattery – Chair elect Vicky Tree

Quiz in Bishopstone

Events in 2009

Raised £322

at the Martello Fields, Seaford

Raised £181

Bric-à-brac Sale

Ashdown Singers Christmas Concert

Raised £500

Special Thanks toMalcolm Mazey

formerChair of Fund-Raising Cttee

and his team

Issues for HOMELINK

• Training new interviewers (including tenants)

• Working effectively with Homeworks to support tenants

• More Secretarial Help (Minutes Secretary)

• New Fund-Raising Cttee members

2010

This year’s appeal:have a chat over coffee or ring Diane to offer help

Prayers for our applicants and tenants

New Subscribers

More Secretarial Help

New members of the Fund-Raising Cttee

THANKS

Our Co-ordinator and Line Manager

Our Trustees and Volunteers

All Friends of HOMELINK

Our Fund Raising Committee

St Pancras for hosting us tonight

the

Report from our Co-ordinator

and now

Lewes District Churches HOMELINK

Welcome to

Friends of HOMELINK

Annual Meeting 2009