overstream 2018 news -...

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OverstreamNews

WelcomeIt feels as if we are still recovering from Christmas at Wintercomfort. In November and December we ran our best ever Christmas appeal and we are exceptionally grateful to all the supporters who gave financially or donated

valuable time and resources to support our work.

There are so many people to thank and we have tried our best to include them all in the fundraising update. However, in spite of these exceptionally generous donations for Wintercomfort, it was business as usual. We were open on Christmas day and we were joined by 35 individuals and the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor George Pippas, who came in to support the staff, volunteers and, most importantly, our service users.

We were delighted in December to pick up a generous cheque from Cambridge Consultants on the Science Park. It was so fantastic I could not miss mentioning it in my welcome. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff team involved at Cambridge Consultants for all their hard work during 2017.

However, as I mention regularly, Wintercomfort relies on fundraised income to continue our valuable work

with the most vulnerable in our society, I would like to ask you to think about hosting a fundraising event at your work place or with your friends in 2018.

We have included a copy of our annual review to give you an overview of the year just passed and I hope you’ll agree without our dedicated and talented staff and volunteers, Wintercomfort would simply not be able to provide the unique support that it offers day in day out. I hope that you enjoy reading the rest of this edition of Overstream News in which we have focussed on the health and wellbeing of homeless people, with a special feature on the Access Surgery in Cambridge where they provide a dedicated GP Surgery for the homeless in Cambridge. Access to a GP surgery is a barrier to our service users getting the valuable support they need to maintain their health. The fact that the average life expectancy of a homeless man in England is 47 and a woman only 43, acts as a stark reminder for me of the importance of healthcare for the homeless.

Advance notice. We would love to see as many of you as possible attend our Open Day here at Overstream house on Tuesday 13th June starting at 1pm, please save the date and more details shall be announced in our next newsletter.

Wishing you a very successful 2018.

Sarah HallsDirector of Wintercomfort

CamCRAG (Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group) organised a brilliant public event on Sunday 28th January supporting Wintercomfort and Cambridge Churches Homelessness Project. The event was followed by more than 20 volunteers sleeping out at St Giles Church in Cambridge over night raising money for Wintercomfort and the ongoing work of CamCRAG supporting refugees in Western Europe. The event was attended by Cambridge MP, Daniel Zeichner, and the Mayor of Cambridge Councillor George Pippas. Dona Ardeman, CamCRAG Projects Coordinator, said: “We wanted to raise awareness and aid for marginalised and forgotten people sleeping rough in winter, whomever and wherever they are. We are so pleased to have raised over £10,000 which will be split between CamCRAG and Wintercomfort”. The event was supported by the team at Wintercomfort who slept out, including Jon Canessa, Elliot Harris, Simon Pickering and Scot McCabe.

www.wintercomfort.org.uk | 01223 518140 | [email protected] | Keep in touch

Left to Right: Jon Canesa - Homeless Chaplain, Elliot Harris - Overstream Clean Supervisor, Simon Pickering - Wintercomfort Fundraiser, Scott McCabe - Wintercomfort Service user.

CamCRAG raise awareness of rough sleeping in Cambridge and Calais

Forum Feedback


Our quarterly forum exists to provide rough sleepers and vulnerably housed individuals, Wintercomfort staff and our partners with a valuable opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings on the services of Wintercomfort and our partners.

We are always keen to get feedback from our service users so we can adapt to meet their needs. This empowers them to have a voice and helps us ensure that our service is relevant to those we support.

Julie said: “It is crucial that our service users feel their views are listened to, that they feel valued members of Overstream House and that we take their experiences seriously. We welcome all feedback and encourage partner agencies to join us at the Forums to offer their expertise and support, meeting the needs of as many individuals as we can. We are always open to new ideas, embrace new opportunities where possible and invite all our service users to play a part in making decisions that might ultimately change lives.”

Here are their comments made by service users at the latest Forum in December 2017 stating what they liked about Wintercomfort:

• Help with bills and benefits• Hot meals• A social space• The atmosphere and staff, and the fact that

male staff are there too• Fantastic place for rough sleepers to come to• Facilities on offer• Access to computers and support• Showers and toilets• Different things to keep you busy• Choice of daily newspaper• Free breakfast!• Help with job searches

We are considering feedback suggesting changes to ensure the quality of our service is constantly monitored and evaluated, and that where possible specific needs are responded to.

If you would like to raise an issue or join us at the next forum please [email protected]

We supported 61

homeless people per day in 16/17 compared to 46 per

day in 15/16.

Leanne’s storyFearing for her safety, Leanne ran away from her abusive husband, taking their three-year-old son with her.

After leaving her son to stay with her sister in Birmingham, Leanne returned to Cambridge and a job she loves as a hospital support worker. But for the first time in her life Leanne, 32, was homeless. She had no idea which way to turn and felt unable to confide in colleagues at work.

Walking tearfully around Cambridge she saw a policeman and told him her story. He wrote down Wintercomfort’s address, urging her to contact us for support.

Leanne was supported by Wintercomfort for three weeks, arriving after her night shift had finished at the hospital. She was given a hot cooked breakfast and was able to shower. At Wintercomfort she met Jon Canessa, Chaplain to the Homeless, at Overstream House who helped her find new accommodation and turn her life around.

“I don’t know what I would have done or where I could have gone if Wintercomfort hadn’t been there for me,” said Leanne.

“It’s a lovely place. I was able to speak to people there and relax. There should be more places like it. While I was homeless I used to sleep during the day on an empty hospital bed or in the library at Anglia Ruskin University, but now it’s so nice to have my own place again.

“It was frightening being homeless and I hope soon my son will be able to join me. I feel good about myself now and am looking forward to the future.”

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wintercomfort.org.uk/donate

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A relationship breakdown and loss of job led to Solly becoming homeless, sleeping rough on the street and sofa surfing with friends...This is his inspiring story about how Solly Cham turned his life around with Wintercomfort .

“I had a difficult childhood, but worked hard to gain qualifications and have a good life. I was born in Chesterton 46 years ago. My mother was a local girl, and my father came from the Gambia, but they parted after a couple of years. I experienced a lot of domestic violence from my step-father. Three of my brothers were adopted and as I was the youngest I stayed at home with my mum who was a strong character.

“I left school at 16, passing 8 O’levels, and went to Cambridge Regional College to study hospitality management, then went to Bournemouth Polytechnic and passed the HND in Catering Hospitality. I worked in management

in bars, restaurants and hotels in London until the year 2000 when my mother died. I used my £3,000 inheritance to meet my father in Gambia and we renewed our relationship.

“I returned to Cambridge and found work as a catering manager in the colleges, while at the same time studying for a Masters degree in Tourism and Hospitality at Thames Valley University. All was going well, I had a lovely partner and two children. But then in 2011 my life changed irrevocably. I was attacked by the head chef in the restaurant where I worked. It was racially motivated. He resigned and I ended up losing my job.

“My accommodation went with the loss of my job and we had to leave. This created enormous stress in my relationship which led to us splitting up. Thankfully, I still have a good relationship with my son, Kofi, 5, and daughter, Anna-Lena, 13. They kept me going through the hard times.

“However, after losing my job, I had no place to go. I was in a place I didn’t want to be. I had no other work. I sofa surfed and slept out in my sleeping bag two or three nights a week in Chesterton. During this time I fractured my legs as my knee joints are very weak and my right knee dislocated out of place

“It was a bit of a shock sleeping rough. It shows how it can happen to anyone. I then stayed at Jimmy’s for two months, then at

The Springs, 222 Victoria Road for nine month and then the Cyrenian’s Project.

“Whilst at Jimmy’s I started to do volunteering, first with the British Heart Foundation on the shop floor, and then volunteering in the kitchen with Wintercomfort in 2013.

“My life began to turn around on Christmas Day in 2013 when my bidding with Cambridge City Council’s Homelink for somewhere to live was successful after almost three years of trying, and I now have my own flat in Hills Road.

“My role at Wintercomfort developed in 2015 when I spent six months helping on the floor as a locum project worker, helping service users with their everyday issues. I completed a 1 year apprenticeship, an NVQ level 2 in health and social care, and when a full-time project worker’s post came up in December 2017 I successfully applied. I love my work there as Employment & Supported Volunteering Project Worker.

“I look back and feel proud how I overcame all the adversity I faced. I hope that my experience can be an inspiration to those who are in the same position that I was in a few

years ago.

“Thanks to Wintercomfort I

was able to turn my life around. I hope other homeless people can

see that there is a way out. I have had some success in helping people get out

of their situation, and it is the most rewarding feeling there is.”

Solly

Tuesday 20th March, 12 noon - 2pm@Food4Food Café, St. Andrews Hall, Chesterton

Please advise of special diets and allergensPay in cash or cheque on the day

St Patricks Day Pop-Up Café • St Patricks Day Pop-Up Café

Pre-book email: [email protected] Telephone:01223 272953

St. Patricks Day Menu:• Creamy celeriac soup & soda bread £3.50• Slow cooked Irish Stew w/Colcannon £7.00• Vegetable Irish Stew w/Colcannon £5.00• Guinness Chocolate cake £3.00

*For more information about the Access Surgery see their website: http://www.mhcambridgeaccess.co.uk/


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Accessing Healthcare for the HomelessWintercomfort is proud of its partnerships with agencies and health providers who share our vision to get homeless individuals back on track with their lives. Having good health is crucial for them to achieve this.

We highlight here the wonderful work that the Access Surgery does supporting the city’s rough sleepers that has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission who ranked it Outstanding during their latest inspection. One of the biggest barriers for homeless people is getting access to healthcare as they do not have a permanent address.

1. How long has the Access Surgery supported homeless people in Cambridge?Since 2005. Dr Christine Hugh-Jones, a GP in Cambridge saw a need in the homeless community and services developed from there. The Access Surgery at 125 Newmarket Road opened in 2005. 2. Is this the only GP surgery in Cambridge that works with homeless people?Yes and no. We are the only GP surgery that is specifically for people who are homeless. However some homeless people do see other GPs in the city. 3. Who are the GPs and staff that work the city’s rough sleepers?At the Access surgery we are a small team of one Practice Manager (Yvonne Ellis), three receptionists (Georgia, Ki and Claire), two nurses (Anthea and Sharon) and four GPs (Melita Brownrigg, Melanie D’Souza, Linda Mohammed, Liz Belham).4. Why did the Access Surgery want to work with these vulnerable people?We choose to work in Homeless Healthcare as we feel that people who are homeless deserve equal access to healthcare and that they may have difficulties accessing a GP.5. How does your team work with Wintercomfort?One of the Access Surgery nurses goes to Wintercomfort once a fortnight to meet clients, advise on any health issues and strengthen

people’s confidence to attend the surgery. Also, with individual patient’s consent we can work closely with a Wintercomfort support worker to try to help an individual. We attend multi-agency meetings once a week along with Wintercomfort.6. Why is your work so successful with homeless people? Can they register with your surgery without an address?Our mission statement is ‘to improve the health, well-being and lives of those we care for’. This is what we try to do. Patient’s can register without an address and we are happy to use our address or any ‘care of’ address e.g. Wintercomfort, Overstream House. 7. How do you evaluate the success of your work with homeless people? Do you have data about numbers you have supported in the last 12 months?We have approximately 500 patients registered at the surgery. We do the NHS ‘family and friends’ questionnaire and we do internal audits in various areas e.g. offering blood borne virus blood tests, asthma. 8. What are their main health needs, and how are these met by the practice?People who are homeless have the same health needs as any person but we see more of certain illnesses e.g. skin infections and ulcers, breathing/chesty problems, mental health problems, alcohol

problems and drug use problems. We work closely with Inclusion drug treatment service and with the Dual Diagnosis Street team and with Addenbrooke’s Hospital Hepatitis C treatment service. We also work closely with other local services such as Jimmy’s, Willow Walk, The Victoria Project, Wintercomfort and the Street Outreach Team. 9. Which other agencies share your premises to support your work with vulnerable people?125 Newmarket Rd also accommodates the Cambridge Mental Health and Street Outreach team (CMHSOT) and the plan is that Probation service will be moving into the 1st floor soon. 10. Do you have any feedback from homeless people about the support they have been given?In Feb 2017 we did a patient survey, comments from this are on the notice board in the waiting room. Most are positive: “good all round”, “having been a patient at Access Surgery for some years I have found them to be irreplaceable and “extremely valuable”, but a few are negative: “feel sometimes that I am invisible and not listened to,” a point we are keen to address and overcome.11. Do you have plans to develop these services further?We are always striving to improve. We are working with Addenbrooke’s Hepatitis C service and we are hoping this will start as a shared hospital/Access surgery service in 2018.


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Helping Homeless People Cope With A CrisisPeople who are homeless or living rough on the streets are constantly vulnerable and at risk. Thanks to the British Red Cross, homeless and rough sleepers in Cambridgeshire are educated in first aid skills to help them cope if they should be faced with an emergency.

Nigel Wildman, adult education coordinator with the Brisith Red Cross runs regular first aid sessions at Wintercomfort, educating people what to do during a crisis, such as dealing with an unresponsive person, hypothermia and substance abuse, whilst stressing the importance of dialing 999 if they are with an unresponsive casualty.

Nigel said: “It is very important that people know first aid, homeless individuals included. They are the closest to the crisis. We see homelessness and rough sleepers as being more vulnerable than most and in need.

“Sleeping rough means they are constantly at risk. They are the most important people looking after a person who is in crisis, the first on the scene. By being there they can hopefully save someone’s life.”

The British Red Cross has a special fund to educate vulnerable adults in first aid, meaning the sessions are provided free of charge. Nigel added: “Our sessions build confidence if they should find themselves faced with a medical emergency. Crucially, they need to be reassured about the importance of calling 999. It is very rewarding to see how interested many of them are. Our training sessions are very relaxed and break down the barriers to helping others.”

Nick, right, advises service user Henry Nicola about first aid.

How often do you spare a thought for the aching feet of homeless people, footsore after pounding the streets all day? At Wintercomfort we recognise the huge toll their feet can suffer. It can result in great discomfort and even affect the way they walk. This in turn can cause knee, hip and back pain.

Our fantastic volunteers run a popular free fortnightly footcare service, treating ailments ranging from corns, calluses and crippling blisters, to Athlete’s foot, trench foot and verucas. The nails are clipped and the feet thoroughly washed too and given a soothing massage.

Under the watchful eyes of our dedicated footcare team, Sue MacKay, Bernie Wright, Philippa Slatter, Carol Sennitt, Claire Carter, Jo Kelly and Penny Hayman, our footcare team look out for signs of poor circulation and loss of sensation as they clean and scrutinise the feet in their grip, a warning that they could be at risk of diabetes or other medical conditions.

Sue, a registered nurse and psychiatric nurse who has volunteered at Wintercomfort for eight years, said, “If we have concerns about diabetes, or if a rough sleeper has a serious fungal infection that needs medical treatment, perhaps antibiotics, we refer them to the Access GP Clinic in Newmarket Road where staff do great work supporting the homeless in Cambridge.”

One Step Ahead – with Wintercomfort


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Christmas Day at Overstream HouseWe never fail to be amazed by the kindness and generosity of our wonderful staff and volunteers who give up part of their Christmas Day to prepare and serve a delicious festive dinner for the homeless individuals we support. Thank you all so much!

The Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor George Pippas, called in too and was given a warm welcome. Thanks to the donations we received, all forty-five service users were given a Christmas present and had an enjoyable day.

Councillor Pippas said: “I was delighted to be at Wintercomfort on Christmas day. Overstream House was, as usual, an inviting and vibrant place. The staff and volunteers working on the day were brilliant and for me the visit served as a reminder that for some, Christmas day can be a difficult and lonely day. However, when the community pulls together as they do at Wintercomfort it can make such a difference to those in need.”

Fundraising updateNovember and December are always our busiest months for fundraising at Wintercomfort. The lead up to Christmas in 2017 was the busiest we have had for a number of years. The fundraising events came in all shapes and sizes…. We had carols in pubs, offices, churches and shopping centres. Charity car parks, comedy nights, music nights, football keepie-upies world record attempts, scouts doing sleep outs - and that’s just a few of the activities taking place.

Our Christmas appeal was exceptionally well supported and we are most grateful to all our supporters and donors who have helped make such a difference.

In 2018 we have a huge range of fundraising activities planned and I look forward to bringing more news in the next edition of Overstream News. If you are interested in fundraising to support our work this year please do email me at: [email protected]

Thanks to everyone for their continued support!

Simon (Fundraiser)

Building work at Overstream House We are pleased to announce that Overstream House has new flooring and we have some more building improvements coming up in 2018.

Jaycee Flooring provided two floor fitters for two weeks to lay the flooring that had previously been donated to Wintercomfort. Prior to the floor fitters James Martin, our services manager, rolled up his sleeves and got seven service users to join him in stripping out and preparing the building. As the floor needed to be replaced, they had to rip up multiple layers of lino and ply board…which was no small task!

BAM’s continued support throughout this entire process has meant that all of this has been possible. It’s going to be wonderful to see the next phase of work take place, including the electric improvements.

We would like to thank the following companies for their support without them this work would not have been completed: Jaycee Flooring, SCS and Fastglobe.

Would you like to fundraise to support our work?Please email [email protected]


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Wintercomfort Welcomes Elliot Harris and Chris Hindley to its dedicated team.

Welcome to Elliot Harris, our new Supervisor for Overstream Clean, whose job is managing contracts and leading the team of Cleaning Operatives, ensuring the service is running smoothly.

We also welcome Chris Hindley, our new Volunteer Food Store Manager, who manages food donations used by our kitchen staff to prepare meals for homeless people who come through our doors.

At Wintercomfort we are passionate about helping homeless people move forward with their lives and find employment. Overstream Clean, our professional cleaning and gardening social enterprise, provides training and employment for people who’ve experienced, or are experiencing, homelessness.

Elliot will also be running cleaning courses for service-users supported by Wintercomfort, enabling them to become fully-skilled employees with the social enterprise or another employer. Elliot said: “It is a really exciting job and everyone here is passionate about what they’re doing. The Overstream Clean team are really keen and proud of their jobs and representing Wintercomfort. “I have been visiting clients and hearing great things about what our team has been doing, meeting new clients too. It is great to have this positive feedback, and, at the same time, help someone move forward by supporting them with a job and responsibility.”

Chris, who is semi-retired with the British Antarctic Survey, said food donations are always gratefully received at Wintercomfort. What items cannot be used in the kitchen are given away to our service users, with some food parcels requested by people who have cooking facilities.

Chris said: “Food donations are important as they massively reduce what we have to buy in. We are having some extra shelves put up to make the whole supply system slicker. We always need food for the kitchen that can be made into cooked breakfasts, so tins of tomatoes, baked beans and sugar and always appreciated.”

Wintercomfort’s Social Enterprises

Food4Food catering service offering the finest buffet lunches, delegate packs, hot buffets for Cambridge events and functions.

Tel: 01223 272 956 www.food4food.org.uk

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*If you would like to know more about our Overstream Clean service, see our website: http://www.overstreamclean.co.uk/

Elliot Harris Chris Hindley

Thinking of having a spring clean? Then check out our services and competitive rates.

Our highly trained team are hugely dedicated. All our team have lived the experience of homelessness.

The service is also environmentally clean, with operatives getting around the city on bicycles.

A recent Impact Report into Overstream Clean found that clients praised the work carried out by our team, with 87.5% saying they would recommend it. The in-depth study will be officially launched at Overstream House on Friday, 3 March. If you would like to attend contact Rachel Newell at [email protected]

Our operatives provide the following services:

3 Office cleaning 3 Carpet cleaning3 Window cleaning 3 Deep cleans 3 Pre/post tenancy cleans 3 Garden clearance 3 Gardening 3 Rubbish removal

Do look out for our latest special offer too on the website. This month’s special offer is a free window clean with every deep clean.

For a free consultation contact 01223 272957email [email protected] http://www.overstreamclean.co.uk/index.php

Spring Clean with Overstream Clean

Wintercomfort for the homeless is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales. Company number 02615905 Registered charity in England and Wales No. 1003083

CONTACT

Wintercomfort for the homeless, Overstream House, Victoria Avenue, Cambridge CB4 [email protected] Telephone 01223 518 140

STAY IN TOUCH

Your donation really will change lives. wintercomfort.org.uk/donate

Five minutes with Julie Potter, Senior Project Worker at Wintercomfort

Tell us about your job here. How long have you been with Wintercomfort? What do you like about it? What did you do before? I was

appointed as Senior Project Worker at Wintercomfort in November 2016 having volunteered here for the 8 months prior to that. My previous career was in education – starting life as a PE teacher in 1990 culminating in Headship in 2014 at a school for boys with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. I love

working at Wintercomfort; life is never dull and each day presents new challenges and new opportunities. I am humbled by the people I meet and am determined to ensure they feel heard, respected and are provided with the security that is their entitlement.What is your proudest achievement in life so far? Winning a tennis scholarship to the USA. How do you spend your free time? Drumming, sport, theatre, reading, DIY, movie making.What is your favourite music/film/book? (Music) Clean Bandit, (Film) Cry Freedom, (Book) The Kite RunnerTell us something about you we don’t know. I’m also a Psychotherapist.What would you take on a desert island? My drum kitYour philosophy for life? Don’t ask of others anything you are not prepared to do yourself.

Cassie Sparks confesses to being ‘hooked’ on volunteering at Wintercomfort. It seems she can’t get enough of us, and has the fantastic accolade of being our longest serving volunteer.

At Wintercomfort we value the time, dedication, commitment and skills that all our volunteers bring. Cassie is a gem who twice a week cheerfully rolls her sleeves up to prep food or wash up, happily turning her hand to anything that needs doing.

Cassie, who has notched up 12 years volunteering for us, is a proficient table tennis player too, challenging rough sleepers to a game during her regular Tuesday stint at Overstream House.

But it is in listening and talking to homeless people that Cassie makes her mark, offering a sympathetic ear, kindness, non-judgemental compassion and words of wisdom. Having worked as a nurse and social worker, as well as managing accommodation for the mentally ill, she tunes in skillfully to their plight, always having the right words to help and support

them through their difficulties.

Cassie says, ‘I had been volunteering at Jimmy’s night shelter for five years and started at Wintercomfort at the same time. I immediately became hooked meeting the amazing cross-section of people that come here and getting to know them. Having worked in care for many years, I really enjoy being here.

“There are times when I find it intensely sad, seeing how people’s life chances have been so bad. The housing and the benefit system can be stacked against them. Some of the stories you hear are just heartbreaking. Despite the awfulness of their lives, the people here can be so humorous. I just find that incredible. I wouldn’t last two minutes on the street.”

Emma Gerrard, our Volunteer Coordinator, said, “Cassie is just marvelous. She helps with our museum trips and excursions and is very popular with our service users. She regularly beats them at table tennis, she is always cheerful, dedicated and a great listener. We value everything she does.”

If you would like to donate to Wintercomfort,

please visit our website:

wintercomfort.org.ukOR

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01223 518140

Cassie, our longest-serving volunteer, ‘hooked’ on Wintercomfort

Forever smiling, Cassie hands out hot drinks at Wintercomfort.

*We are currently recruiting for volunteer hairdressers and barbers. If you can help, email

[email protected] or phone 01223 518140.

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