CRISIS TEAM'S TOP HONOUR

Youth Forum Set Up

CRISIS TEAM'S TOP HONOUR

A Swansea project that helps crisis-hit homeless women has won a top prize.

Gareth Davies reports.WINNERS of a special prize in memory of a tireless campaigner for the homeless in Swansea have vowed to carry on the good work in her name.

Shelter Cymru has just announced this year's Val Feld Women and Homelessness Award has gone to a project helping women suffering crises linked with losing their home, such as drugs, domestic violence and mental illness.

The Crisis Intervention Project, run by charity Swansea Young Single Homeless Project (SYSHP) in Walter Road, helps troubled women address their problems by working with experts to help improve their relationships.

Jayne Thomas, office manager at SYSHP, said the charity was delighted at the win, which was announced at The Village Hotel in Swansea during Shelter Cymru's annual conference.

Prizes were £2,000 and a specially designed bronze sculpture by Swansea artist Helen Sinclair.

"On behalf of the Crisis Intervention Project we would like to say a massive thank-you," said Jayne.

"We will use the award to further develop the project by buying resources that will benefit even more young women in crisis.

"It will be an honour to carry on this valuable work in Val Feld's name."

Crisis intervention worker Sarah O'Leary from the project accepted the sculpture from the chairwoman of the award judges - former Assembly Finance Minister Sue Essex.

The main criterion for the award is that it is made to a project or individual in Wales which makes a difference to women and homelessness.

The first winners of the award were announced in 2003 and it is now an annual event - and one of the highlights of Shelter Cymru's annual housing conference.

To apply for next year's award, contact Shelter Cymru on 01792 469400 or go online to www.sheltercymru.org.uk

Youth Forum Set Up
Participation
Young people are working towards setting up a youth forum / council which will feed into a shadow board. The initial consultation has taken place in the New Stadium in Swansea with involvement from young people, the Participation worker and a representative of the Swansea Youth Forum. A report will be prepared for presentation to SYSHPs Management Committee in October.

Buddies
The buddies group was set up by young people. An individual from the group will support young people when they move into one of SYSHPs accommodation projects. The buddies will be a friend to provide peer support for the first 8 weeks of moving in to a SYSHP project. An agreement is made between young people which is reviewed after 8 weeks with both parties and the buddy support worker. All the buddies are receiving training in peer support and are working towards an Open College Network qualification.

Schools
Young people have identified a need to educate other young people about the realities of homelessness. They have written to all the secondary Schools in Swansea asking whether they could speak to school children in one of the PSE lessons on the effects of homelessness. In November they will be working with one secondary school providing a lesson for all Year 10 and Year 11. The lesson is based on Shelters Housemate pack with young people providing a local dimension.