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About us

ContentsAbout us 3

Our work in numbers 2013 4

Preventing rough sleeping 7

Case study: Ewa 11

Addressing homelessness 13

Case study: Evan 17

Promoting Moving On 19

Case Study: Dorothee 23

Our board 24

Thank you 25

How can I help? 26

Philosophy:The Connection at St Martin’s believes that early intervention is crucial in preventing people from finding themselves on the streets; and also plays a vital role in helping people who are sleeping rough rebuild their lives away from homelessness, avoiding long term entrenchment.

We recognise that each person we see is a different, and requires a tailored way of working which is dependent on their circumstances.

Our services set out to involve and empower homeless people so they can navigate their personal journey off the streets and into a sustainable way of living.

Mission:To provide advice and services which help homeless people in London avoid, move away from and stay off the streets.

Vision:The end of street homelessness in London.

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Our work in numbers from last year

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1500or 80% of new rough sleepers spent no more than one night on the streets

1064people were reconnected back to services in their home area preventing them from sleeping rough in central London

658people were referred to our Night Centre, spending an average of 16 nights before being reconnected to services in their home area or longer term housing in London

Preventing rough sleeping

What we’re doing Assessment: On arrival everyone is assigned a key worker and receives an in-depth assess-ment where we provide advice and practical help. In the majority of cases, people we’re seeing do not have a local link to Westminster so we will, wherever possible, reconnect them back to their home area and into app ropriate services. Returning people to where they came from is in the client’s best interest, and in most cases diverts people away from a street lifestyle.

Practical Support: Practical services are available to support people, while we work to resolve their situation, and include a café serving low cost and hot nutritious meals, an NHS centre, laundry, showers, computers and telephone access. Emergency Night Centre: The Connection’s Night Centre is unique in being the only service in London which accommodates up

to 50 rough sleepers free of charge every night of the week. It is a referral only service from Outreach and everyone has a clear progres-sion route away from the streets. Opening at 9.30pm, people can access the showers and have something to eat before bed time, and are then able to link into the drop in services to progress their situation in the morning.

No Second Night Out: A significant amount of work is undertaken by our Street Outreach team every day to prevent new arrivals from spending more than one night on the streets. Working in conjunction with partner agencies and the London Mayor’s No Second Night Out Scheme (NSNO), the Outreach team targets all new rough sleepers, and provides a rapid response to ensure each person is referred to NSNO for further assessment. Moving people off the streets quickly safe-guards them from becoming entrenched in a street lifestyle.

RECONNECTEDNIGHT CENTRE

NO SECOND NIGHT OUT

The Context: Preventing homelessness, or moving people off the streets quickly into accommodation, radically improves people’s lives and is financially advantageous to members of the public – it costs significantly more for someone to remain on the streets.

Mission: To prevent newly homeless people from sleeping rough and ensure new rough sleepers receive the necessary support so they do not spend more than one night on the streets.

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OUR OUTREACH TEAM RESPONDS QUICKLY TO NEW ARRIVALS ON THE STREET, HELPING PREVENT LONG TERM ROUGH SLEEPING

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“I’ve been working with a client called John who is 32 years old and came to the UK from Ireland in 2012. He has severe mental health issues and addiction to heroin. He was very vulnerable and quite chaotic.

He was homeless for a long time back in Ireland and accessing mental health services, but he left because he was experiencing paranoia. It was really difficult to establish what had happened to him because his story had delusional content. It was clear he was a tormented guy.

At first we tried to reconnect him to Ireland, but when it was clear he wasn’t going to go we started to work with him towards housing in London. Sometimes people sleeping rough tell us to go away but just by being there, by being persistent, by keeping your word and being very clear and honest helps people trust you.

It’s really important we’re clear with people so they know what to expect. From the word go I explained what the process would be. We are going to assess you, we are going to think about your housing options at which point you will have another worker who will support you.

One of the first things we had to do was get him a passport. It turned out it was really quite challenging. We had to get funding for it, and then with John’s patchy engagement it was proving very difficult to find someone to sign the application.

In the meantime I referred his case to a specialist mental health service (Joint Home-lessness Team), and through joint working we managed to get him on medication and for the embassy to treat him as a special case so they didn’t need all the required documents to get his ID. It took a lot of creativity and twisting arms

We managed to keep him out of hospital, which was good, and he was getting regular injections for his symptoms and these were helping him, he was visibly more relaxed. He also started engaging with drug support, again this was patchy but at least there were multiple services working with him so we could check he was ok.

Right now he’s housed in a specialist hostel which is able to deal with clients with support needs. He’s made a good relationship with his keyworker at the hostel. It did feel like we might not get to this point because of the hoops we had to jump through. It took a long time. Most recently we took him to Primark and got him new clothes. I’m really pleased for him.”

“Sometimes people sleeping rough tell us to go away but just by being there, by being persistent, by keeping your word and being very clear and honest helps people trust you.”

Case study:

Ewa, StreetOutreach Worker

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3000people access our life changing services

947rough sleepers were helped to address their homelessness

393393 people were referred to specialist support services including mental health, detox/rehab, and social services

202202 people were booked into hostel and private rented accommodation

815 people took part in a range of activities and groups designed to build life skills and self-esteem including anger management, gambling support, art and football

Addressinghomelessness

What we’re doing Street outreach: A small proportion of people we see do not respond to initial inter ventions to prevent them from rough sleeping and end up street homeless. In these instances the Street Outreach team delivers a targeted service to proactively help people take the necessary steps to make changes in their lives. On an average shift the team checks in on people’s welfare, makes referrals to our emergency Night Centre and reminds people to come into the centre for further assessment. Specialist support: Two thirds of homeless people we see have one or more support needs. This could be an alcohol or drug dependency, an addiction to gambling or a mental health problem. Complex needs can be a barrier to someone’s progression, so we encourage and support people to address their issues, either through attending one of our activity groups, where people learn techniques for managing triggers, or

refer them to a specialist agency who can help further.

Anti-social behaviour: We now have a dedicated team who are working with local businesses to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour amongst the rough sleeping com-munity. Homeless people who exhibit this behaviour have very specialist support needs and care is taken to find appropriate solutions, whether it is housing or referral for treatment. Some of this work is done in conjunction with the Safer Streets Homelessness Unit, a division of the Met Police, helping identify problematic rough sleepers and also ensuring the most vulnerable people remain safe.

Supported accommodation: St Martin’s House, located in Clapham South, accommo-dates 16 ex rough sleepers and is specifically for people who require extra support to sustain their housing.

EVERY YEAR

SPECIALIST SUPPORT SERVICES

SUPPORT AND ACCOMMODATION

ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS

ACTIVITIES

The Context: Working with people to address their homelessness requires perseverance and time. A major part of this work revolves around building relationships with clients so they trust us, and have confidence in our advice. Reluctance to engage with us often stems from fear and poor expectations of the options available. Helping people make informed choices about their housing options alleviates fears and increases the chance of placing someone in sustainable accommodation.

Mission: To help our clients address their multiple issues and help them access appropriate services which progress their situation.

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HOT NUTRITIOUS FOOD IMPROVES WELL BEING, INCREASING CONCENTRATION AND ATTENDANCE IN APPOINTMENTS

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After being made redundant Evan struggled to find work and without a supportive net-work found himself on the streets. He is now housed, has gained current experience from work trials with John Lewis and Coutts and is attending our IT course.

“I was easy-going, happy, had a lot of friends. Had a life. But that disappeared. Everything I had, knew, owned, disappeared. I didn’t know where to turn. And the friends I had – friends are always friends when you are in a good position. When you are in a bad position your friends are very few.

I found friends here, I found people for whom I’m no relation but they go out of their way to see I’m ok.

These guys here have been MY family. And if I were to land the biggest job and get the big-gest house I would give back hundreds-fold.

I got my place to live through them; I got my job placement through The Connection. They’ve given me everything I need to get this job. Even basic things like a suit and a pair of shoes for interviews. It’s all from here. So, in effect, everything I am today is because of this place.

I’m currently doing a work placement at John Lewis. Which is going well and hopefully I will end up with a job. I had the skills for over a decade but through redundancies and other things I got to where I am here today.

So I’m a work in progress basically, if that makes sense to you?

My Dad always took photos of us and I never understood why. But now when I look at those photos I sometimes know why he did it. Because it’s a way of capturing moments that you can’t have again.

Photography has always been something I used to do and when Sophie (at The Connec-tion) said do you want to come and join us I said ‘Yes’. Why not? Again it’s something they have given me that I used to be.

I love different people giving me their ideas and telling me that’s a nice picture. To me it’s just like I’m doing the things I used to do, I’m going back to being how I used to be. It might not mean anything else to them or to anyone else. But when I go back to my room I say ‘I like myself today’ – I’m not angry, I’m not hurt, I’m not angry at the world. But I’m going back to how I used to be.”

“These guys here have been MY family. And if I were to land the biggest job and get the biggest house I would give back hundreds-fold.”

Case study:

Evan, ex-client

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500people volunteered throughout the year adding immense value to our service

465people accessed Workspace to improve their employability and job prospects

340people were supported to develop action plans and received information, guidance and advice on employment, training and volunteering opportunities

316were supported to develop CVs and undertake job searches

10335 people have been supported back in to work and 47 people are volunteering. 21 homeless people undertook Step Up volunteering placements across our services including the Day Centre, Kitchen and IT groups

Promoting Moving On

What we’re doing Activity Programme: Being meaningfully occupied is a crucial part of someone sustain-ing their life away from the streets. People are encouraged to take part in our activity programme, which appeals to a broad range of interests and increases people’s confidence. We also advise and refer people to external training courses and opportunities which cultivate their skills and aid development. Step Up Volunteering: The Connection pro-vides volunteering opportunities, through a project called Step Up, to current and former clients. The placements, which are available across different services including the kitchen and day centre, are designed to closely imitate the working world giving clients new skills, and relevant work experience, so that people are better equipped to make the transition into further training or employment.

Back to work: We have a proven track record of getting people back into work, thanks to the valuable support from our corporate supporters. Working with us they play an instrumental role in improving clients’ employability through workshops and providing work trials, typically in retail or hospitality posts, which open doors to clients’ future recruitment prospects, and often lead to permanent positions. Building prospects: In partnership with Dolphin Square and PwC, we have developed Building Prospects, a social enterprise which will provide homeless people with training and employment in construction, with hous-ing attached. Providing all three elements together will simplify the process of getting people who are ‘work ready’, but still living on the street, into sustainable housing and employment all at the same time.

EXTERNAL VOLUNTEERING SUPPORT

TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

EMPLOYMENTADVICE

CV & JOBSEARCH

The Context: Homeless people face significant barriers when securing and sustaining employment. Many do not have recent experience and lack the required ‘softer skills’ like confidence and communication required by employers. A history of homelessness can also stigmatise people, deeming them less desirable in the eyes of the employer particularly when there is high competition for posts.

Mission: Help homeless people move towards a sustainable lifestyle away from the streets through employment, training & volunteering.

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HELPING PEOPLE RECOVER FROM HOMELESSNESS RELIES ON MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES WHICH CAN REDUCE FEELINGS OF LONELINESS AND INCREASE SELF-ESTEEM

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Three years ago Dorothee found herself on the streets after a dispute with a member of her family. She was supported by our mental health team; who helped her address her homelessness and settle back into accommodation.

She’s made significant progress and is now a Step Up volunteer with The Connection.

Her story shows how opportunities to get involved are a crucial part of the recovery process; improving well-being and preventing relapse to the streets.

“When I first met Dorothee she was extremely distressed. It was very difficult to have a ra-tional conversation because she was so afraid. Now her concentration is much better and she’s engaging with people which she always wanted to do, but her fear got in the way. I admire her optimism and desire to improve her life and make contact with her children.”– Su, Dorothee’s keyworker

“With Step Up [volunteering] I’ve been helping the medical team by taking the name of the client and giving it to the nurse. I’ve been doing this for more than a year. I’m now very confident when I do my job because I have a lot of strength. I’m not scared anymore. I changed a lot. I think this work is very good for me, I love the job very much and I like the clients.

Because I’ve been on the street it helps me understand clients better. I know how it is. In the beginning I was carrying too much and I told myself “I can’t do it, I can’t do it” and I’ve struggled a lot to be what I am now. I have to accept that my life is changing now, that I’m not like I was before. I’m a new person because The Connection helped me a lot and the staff who have given me a lot of advice and treated me with respect. Even when I was sleeping on the street they said don’t worry, this will pass. That gave me strength to move on and look forward.

I’ve also done cooking club and I got my certificate there as well. I learnt to cook chicken with vegetables and a chocolate cake. I didn’t know how to cook it before, I was making a lot of mess. My favourite is chicken and vegetable, it’s very nice.

I do Right Click which is a computer group and I learn how to do everything online. They show you how you can search for jobs on the internet, and they show you how you can apply for online banking. It’s very good. You have to learn how to use a computer, otherwise you’re stuck. “

“I’m a new person because The Connection helped me a lot and the staff who have given me a lot of advice and treated me with respect”

Case study:

Dorothee, Step Up volunteer

Thank you

Board of Trustees

A D Power Will Trust Acona PartnersAlbert Hunt Trust (The)Allan Charitable Trust (The)Allied Irish Bank (GB)Ancaster Trust (The)Anglo American Group FoundationAnonymous TrustArchbishop of Canterbury’s Charitable Foundation (The)Ardwick Trust (The)Arimathea Charitable TrustAustin and Hope Pilkington Trust (The)AXA UKB & E Miller Charitable Trust Barbara Welby Trust (The)BBC Radio 4Bebb Charitable Trust (The) Beddell Trust (The)Belmont Ensemble of LondonBloomberg LPBuckingham Trust (The)Canning SheridanCarnstoneCentral and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Chapman Charitable TrustChatham FinancialChiron Trust (The) City Bridge Trust (The)City of London Justice Room Charitable Trust (The)Clun Charitable Trust (The)Comic ReliefCostain GroupCouttsDepartment for Communities and Local Government

Department for Work and PensionsDolphin Square FoundationDonald Forrester TrustDorling KindersleyDoughty Hanson Charitable Foundation (The)Dr Mortimer & Theresa Sackler Foundation (The) Drapers’ Company (The)Dunphail Charitable Trust (The)Edward Harvist Trust (The)Elba Trust (The)Irish Government’s Emigrant Support ProgrammeEsmée Fairbairn FoundationEssex Community FoundationEversley Charitable Trust (The)FareShareFreemasons’ Grand Charity (The)French Huguenot Church of London Charitable Trust (The)Friends of The Connection (The)Frontier EconomicsGreat Portland Estates plcGreen & Lillian F M Ainsworth And Family Benevolent FundGreen Hall FoundationLloyds Banking Group Community FundHavas MediaHenry Smith Charity (The)Hess CorporationHomelessness Transition Fund (The)J Paul Getty Jr Charitable TrustJohn LewisJoseph Rowntree Foundation (The)Land Securities plcLondon Community Foundation (The)M.D and I.M Newman Charitable TrustMarsh Christian Trust

Dame Diana Brittan Chair

Jenny WilliamsVice Chair

Ian WatsonTreasurer

Rod Beadles

Peter Brown (resigned February 2014)

Jeff Claxton

Prem Goyal

Marshall WaceMedia Trust (The)Michael & Anna Wix Charitable Trust (The)MODCAREMonmouth Coffee Company LimitedMrs L D Rope’s Third Charitable SettlementNeal’s Yard Covent GardenNew BorderlineNew Court Charitable TrustNew English TeasNext plcNorthbankOrp Foundation (The)Pears FoundationPenguinPinsent MasonsPorticus UKPret a MangerPwC UKProgress Foundation (The)ProspectusProtivitiQueen’s Chapel of the Savoy (The)R H Scholes Charitable Trust (The)Radisson Blu Edwardian HotelsRathlin Trust (The)Reed ElsevierRichard Radcliffe Charitable TrustRobert Kiln Charitable TrustRolfe Charitable TrustRules RestaurantSainsbury’s Supermarkets LtdScouloudi FoundationShaftesbury plc

Sheila Hind Charitable Trust (The)Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (Stasco)Sir Cliff Richard Charitable Trust (The)Sir Jeremiah Colman Gift Trust (The)SMB Charitable Trust (The)Sobell Foundation (The)Spurrell Charitable Trust St Clement Danes Holborn Estate Charity Stavros Niarchos FoundationStichting BenevolentiaStory of Christmas Appeal (The)Strand Parishes TrustStreetSmartTail Wind Advisory & Management Ltd The Red Brick RoadTokyo DinerTolkien Trust (The)Treeside Trust (The)Tula Trust Limited (The) Unity & Progress Masonic LodgeVibrated Corn Trust (The)Vintners Company (The)Westcroft Trust (The)West End ServesWestminster Almshouses Foundation (The)Westminster Foundation (The)Westminster Small Grants FundWhite Benevolent Fund (The)Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust (The)Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers (The)Yahoo! Europe Limited.

Philippa Langton

Gay Longworth

Jonathan Martyr (resigned November 2013)

Bally Sappal

Revd Dr Samuel Wells

Octavia Williams

Tim Jones (appointed February 2014)

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How can I help?

There are lots of ways to help The Connection in our mission to end rough sleeping, and we could not do our work without the support of many generous people and organisations. Opportunities to get involved include:

Icon & Photo credits

Contribute financially though our website or get in touch to find out how you can fund one of our services appeals@cstm.org.uk

Become part of Team Connection by taking part in one of our challenge events events@cstm.org.uk

Make an in kind donation. We currently need items that are new or in like new condition including: suits for men, men’s belts, home starter kits for people moving into accom-modation including electrical items (radios, toasters), bedding and toiletry sets. Email appeals@cstm.org.uk

Volunteer your time by supporting one of our services. Email our Volunteer Manager to find out what vacancies are available lance.kuhn@cstm.org.uk

Worried about a rough sleeper in your area? Contact Street Link streetlink.org.uk to connect a rough sleeper to local services

Join us online and champion our cause by becoming part of our Facebook group and Twitter @homelesslondon network

All icons in this report are from The Noun Project – www.thenounproject.com – and are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution: Ladder by Alex Fuller, Meeting by Scott Lewis, Umbrella by John Caserta, Document by Paul Stevens, Compass by iconoci, Sun by Olivier Guin, Bed by Slavko Janjic, Map by Jonathan Higley, Entrance by Stefan Parnarov, Computer by Edward Boatman. Photos: Dorothee by Emli Bendixen. All other photos: Gavin Mills

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The Connection at St Martin’s, 12 Adelaide Street, London. WC2N 4HW

appeals@cstm.org.uk020 7766 5555

Follow us on Twitter @homelesslondonFind us on Facebook

Charity number 1078201