Transitions

Transitions Logo

What is the Transitions Project and what does it provide?

Transitions works with people making the transition to independent living, to increase their resilience through developing their skills and building networks in their communities.

This will be achieved by matching clients with a trained volunteer who can offer the following:

Supporting clients to develop their accommodation search skills. This may include help with making phone calls, meeting landlords and viewing properties or bidding on Home Choice.

Researching possible sources of support and information in the client’s local community and how to access them

Helping clients to access the resources needed to be able to manage their own daily living tasks such as managing their money, shopping, cooking, cleaning, correspondence, managing health conditions, etc

Signposting to specialist organisations as appropriate, and supporting the client to make contact. This may include supporting them to make phone calls and accompanying them to initial appointments.

Helping clients to participate actively in their own community, including taking on volunteer roles, joining clubs and groups and attending events etc.

Helping clients to develop and maintain positive friendships and relationships, develop their social skills, establish effective social support networks and so reduce isolation and social exclusion

Regularly helping clients to review their own progress, to revise their own goals as necessary, and decide on further action.

Click here to download the volunteer recruitment poster, and the volunteer role outline.

Click here to hear a recording of the Project Co-ordinator talking to John Stammers on Phonic FM about the project.

How will it work?

People can apply direct or be referred by their support worker. An initial planning meeting will take place with the Project Co-ordinator to establish where clients see themselves currently, and to identify initial areas for development.

Themes explored during this session may include:

o   Health and wellbeing, both mental and physical
o   Practical living skills
o   Volunteering, training, employment
o   Accommodation and living environment
o   Managing money, bills and benefits
o   Relationships, social life and leisure time
o   Community groups and involvement

The client will then be matched with a suitable volunteer and a joint introductory meeting held, at which an initial action plan agreed. Thereafter, the volunteer and client will meet regularly as appropriate (usually from fortnightly up to twice weekly), for between ½ hour and 3 hours each time. It is anticipated that meetings will decrease in frequency and duration over the course of a six month period.

During the course of the match, volunteers will help clients, using a person-centred approach, to set goals, identify steps necessary to achieve their aspirations and identify sources of help and support. Their current social networks and sources of support will be assessed and clients will be helped to develop the networks and relationships that would support their chosen area of change, alongside the appropriate professional and specialist services. Goals and action plans will be regularly reviewed and revised. The aim is for the client to have built sufficient skills, confidence and support networks within 6 months, to continue their journey independently of the project.

Volunteers are carefully selected and required to undertake an Enhanced CRB check. They will receive comprehensive training and support, and work within ECI’s policies and procedures. The Transitions Project Co-ordinator will oversee the matches and will regularly check in with both the client and volunteer to ensure both are satisfied with the arrangement.

Who can use the service?

The project is aimed at people who are currently receiving support in their accommodation, who are ready to reduce their reliance on this support and build independent living skills. This could mean people leaving supported accommodation to live independently in social housing or private rented accommodation, or people receiving floating support who are ready to make the next step towards self-reliance. The project will be publicised widely via accommodation and support providers, and clients will be encouraged to apply to the service, rather than be ‘referred’.

The service is completely voluntary and the client will be able to choose their own goals and play an active part in planning activities and reviewing their own progress. Clients will also be encouraged to contribute to the development of the project as a whole, by providing feedback on what works and what has not been helpful, and suggesting ideas for change. Clients will be welcome to join the Project Steering Committee, which reviews progress and directs the development of the project. We also welcome ex-users of support services to apply as Transitions volunteers.

How is it different to Floating Support or other support services?

Transitions will only be working with clients who have low support needs, who are ready to move to independent living but who would like help to make that transition.

This project takes a Community Development approach, with the aim of helping the client to make use of resources in the community, as well as build their personal skills, to increase their resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Apply to the Transitions Project by clicking on the links below:

Application Form

Risk Assessment