Access Annual Report 2018 v2

TheA-Zof 2017
at aaaaa

TheA-Zof 2017

PROMOTING
SUCCESS FOR ALL

#bemoreaccess

Welcome to our 2017 Impact Report, its slightly different to our usual publications! We really want you to
understand who we are as an organisation as well as being informed about the data and statistics. This
report has been a true collaboration between our customers and our staff and we hope it gives you a real
insight into our people. We had an amazing 2 days experiencing the world of professional photoshoots
and we definitely came up with some creative ideas about how to portray our stories. 2017 was a year of
great highs and lows and throughout it I have been overwhelmed by the sheer resilience shown by staff
and customers - we have worked together, learnt more about each other (and ourselves) and built an
organisation that is inclusive, diverse, aspirational and supportive. This report reflects our personality.

Emma Ratzer

Chief Executive

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CHAIRMANS INTERVIEW

Interviewed by: Adie Smith
Phoenix House resident.

What is your name? How do you see 2018 developing?
John Bunyard I always think the year coming up will be a year for consolidation
but it never works out that way because other opportunities
Tell me when you became the Chair of the Trustees? seem to arise we try to get involved in, but also we are beginning
I became chair of the Trustees in 2012 that’s for a 6 year term, to reap the benefits of all the work we’ve done in the past years,
which ends this May at the AGM. because we’re now being approached directly by people with
various schemes, so I think 2018 will be as other years have been,
Explain what being the Chair of the Trustees involves? another year of expansion.
That’s a very good question. Trustees are responsible for the
governance of the Trust. So we have an overall responsibility and What exciting stuff did you see over the past year and
a legal responsibility to ensure that the Trust operates within the what exciting stuff do you want to see happen in 2018?
terms of its constitution and within the regulatory framework set It’s another very good question. To be honest Adie, I wouldn’t
out by the charity commission, and as Chair, I have overall single out one exciting member of staff. I never ceased to be
responsibility for that and also the Chief Executive, Emma reports amazed when I talk to staff how passionate they are about the
directly to the Chair. work that they do. I’ve just been talking to staff down at Gordon
Road and I came out completely buoyed up. It’s amazing. I think
What do the Trustees actually do? every single member of our staff is exciting. As far as excitement
Right, that’s another very good question Adie, you’re testing me for 2018 as I said earlier I think we will see some more expansion.
here. As I said before, the Trustees are responsible for the I’m really looking forward to us building on the mental health
governance, so we have a responsibility to make sure that we work we are doing, I’ll tell you that is a tremendously exciting
operate within the budget, and within the legal framework as I prospect for us throughout 2018 and beyond that.
mentioned before and we do that by meeting at least six times
a year and also by having two away days which include some
training for the Trustees.

What was 2017 like for Access Community Trust?
2017 was another busy year for the Trust, every year seems to
be busy, but 2017 was extremely busy for us and we were able
to build on lots of work that we had put in before 2017 and
we’ve moved into some new areas. For instance we’ve
expanded the Sams Café brand, we now have Sams at
Kessingland at Marram Green we’ve also doing an awful lot of
work in the mental health area.

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A - APPRENTICES A - APPRENTICES

We decided that we could make the biggest impact for our young people by promoting the trusts
values and creating more internal apprenticeship vacancies, offering these opportunities to our
customers within our accommodation services and other community projects. In 2017 we
employed 8 apprentices whilst creating four new opportunities:

Customer Service, filled by a young resident from one of our Lowestoft supported accommodation
schemes.

Maintenance, we have recruited three young people who receive specialist supervision from a
local maintenance company whilst working on our own property and projects. All 3 of these posts
were filled with young people accessing our support services.

Our Apprentice EAST scheme means that we are able to provide one to one support for all
apprentices in many areas including their college work, finances, time management and their
personal development without which their ability to complete their apprenticeship may have
been affected.

As part of this programme we developed the Leiston mentoring pilot programme. This has
enabled us to recruit 15 mentors for Alde Valley High School to provide tailored student led
support for their students.

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B - BRIDGE VIEW

B - BRIDGE VIEW From Bridge View we also provide a specialist service called MEAM, Making Every Adult Matter.
The role of the 2 outreach workers is to identify and engage with people who are rough sleeping
Bridgeview offers a variety of different services which includes access to accommodation, food and leading chaotic lives. Customers accessing this provision tend to have exhausted all services
bank provisions, showers, community cafe and support in claiming benefits. Initially opened to and our role is to support them to be housed, claim the benefits that they are entitled to and
support those most at risk of homelessness, in 2017 we supported almost 4000 customers of support to engage with mainstream services. In 2017 we moved X individuals from the street
which nearly 200 were unique new customers. As well as offering support services Bridgeview into accommodation.
provides regular activities which include pet therapy, trips to museums and theatres and arts and
crafts, all designed to improve confidence, develop social skills and reduce isolation and loneliness.
Our work here is supported by an amazing team of volunteers, friends and peer mentors.

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C - THE CROSSING D - DUAL DIAGNOSIS

Opened in July 2017, this is a new delivery service that is situated in the heart of Thetford town. It brings In 2017 we received 241 new referrals. The top 3 referral routes are NHS secondary care services
together an experienced team who provide extensive knowledge and support; in areas such as education, (22%), self-referrals (20%) and GP referrals (8%).
recovery, employment, training and housing followed by other specialist support. The Crossing supports
people who are most in need in the community promoting social inclusion and reducing the barriers that The team recorded 1777 individual contacts throughout the year, on average that’s about 37 people
the most marginalised within the community face. November 2017 saw the development and provision seen every week. 775 individuals accessed group sessions and 74 unique individuals completed a full
of new projects and new staff. Norfolk Public Health funding enabled us to commence a Recovery treatment and support plan and were discharged from the service.
Employment Project—two staff members are working with those in recovery to gain the confidence and
skills to move closer to the workplace. We also employed two Housing Link Worker posts, funded by The needs of our customers are becoming increasingly more complex so our services have increased
Breckland District Council. They work across the whole of the Breckland district preventing homelessness to ensure we can continue to provide a high quality, meaningful intervention regardless of the need.
by preserving tenancies at risk due to arrears, anti-social behaviour and family dynamics. In the initial 6 We have been fortunate enough to have 2 volunteers that provide a well-attended community
weeks of the project alone, 63 referrals were made for tenants at risk of eviction and homelessness. recovery group once a week that allows an individual to engage prior to (and during) being seen by
one of the clinical team. We also have our own in-house Access Mindful Pathways service that offers
Based at The Crossing we also work in partnership with 4 other organisations that are involved in the longer term support for those coming to the end of specific treatment plan. For those that are unable
Building Better Opportunities project—we have come together to form the Norfolk Community College. to attend our clinic we offer a dynamic outreach service to ensure physical issues, mental health issues,
The partnership offers one-to-one advice and support to help adults who are the furthest from the social isolation or difficulties travelling do not become a barrier to access.
workplace, assisting them to move closer to finding work. We employ two Skills Connectors who work
across West Norfolk helping improve the job prospects of the long term unemployed. The Community At the clinical interview we undertake an assessment with the customers full participation and a
College provides guidance and longer-term support, mentoring and assistance to overcome barriers to support plan is agreed. For some of our most complex individuals a support plan may include Eye
employment. The Norfolk Community College is funded by the European Social Fund and the Big Lottery. Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Auricular Acupuncture,
At the end of 2017 the Skills Connectors were supporting 73 clients and had completed 194 individual Community based Peer Mentor support and a referral to our volunteering/employment pathways.
pieces of work and had supported 5 individuals into employment across West Norfolk.

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E - EMPLOYMENT In 2017 Sams hosted 1,734 volunteering hours, a significant and very valuable part of helping to
reduce social isolation and increase aspiration in Lowestoft. In demonstrating this Sams is proving
We started 2017 with the launch of the University of Suffolk’s evaluation report on the effectiveness itself to be a key and very vital element of the Access suite of services. In doing so it is at the very
of Sams Coffee House - our employment hub for the young people of Lowestoft. heart of ensuring that our community services deliver their outcomes, and in offering a future of
independence for some of our residents in supported accommodation services.
Throughout the year we’ve also seen a big step-up in the social media activities of Sams, and linking
to this a number of key food events throughout the year, from British Food Fortnight, to National Curry
Week and National Sandwich Week. Sams has also become the home to The Table Top Crusaders, a
weekly meeting of young people engaged in table-top games, which is run by an Access volunteer.

F - FRAN (in her own words)

My name is Francesca and in August 2017 I moved into John disclosed a little bit to the support workers they thought it would As it stands I am in a position where I can say I am enjoying
Room House, Thetford, after a stressful time in my life. The be a good idea to refer me to The Crossing. being back at work and I am redecorating my flat to make it feel
reason behind this was a breakdown in my relationship, resulting like it is my own. In regards to my mental health it will always
in me being kicked out of the home I was living in and sleeping When I got to The Crossing I was welcomed by the staff who flare up and it will also be there but over time I have learnt to
in my car - friends at that time would let me go and shower there, sat me down and asked where I wanted to be and what I control it.
eat there and charge my phone so I was very grateful. It was a wanted to do. So, they asked me about my interests, if I was in
very strenuous time for me as I lost my relationship, my home a position to work and my interest towards education. They said When looking forward to the future and career prospects, my
and also I was also dealing with the death of my grandfather to me that they would help me get into what I wanted to do. I end career goal would be to work in the community and because
and stepmother. It wasn’t until my mum was told of what was received extensive help from the team to get me to where I I have an interest in mental health and also domestic violence
going on when she then took me to the doctors to get wanted to be. Things were starting to look up. so potentially a career that focuses on support in these areas.
medication and also to the council to declare myself as homeless.
I was then offered a room at John Room House. In November I was offered an opportunity to be the Business I couldn’t have been more grateful for the support received from
Administration Apprentice for Access Community Trust - without Access Community Trust. As both an employee and a resident
Once I moved into John Room House it was a relief to be away second guessing I accepted it and I started my new role on the the support has continued from the hostel and The Crossing.
from sleeping in my car and not knowing what each day was 20th November 2017. That same week I was also offered a Over the months that I have been here I have received extensive
going to hold. I was able to get back into a routine and receive move on flat. I was unbelievably happy. The induction to working support and hope for the good work to continue.
support in regards to daily life and my mental health. Once I had with Access Community Trust was smooth - I had a trip to
Lowestoft and I had to complete my mandatory training.

G - GYM

In the summer of 2017 Access Community Trust trialled with, Sentinel Leisure Trust, a ‘Gym and Swim’ membership. 40% of staff chose to take part in the 3 month pilot and the positive feedback ensured
that this free wellbeing incentive to staff has now become a permanent, and very significant part of life at Access.

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H - HOUSING RELATED SUPPORT

In 2017 we provided Housing Related Support (HRS) across 9 locations within Norfolk and Suffolk. HRS provides short term housing support to help homeless and vulnerable people to improve their quality of
life and to move on to their forever home and sustain living independently. This support can be delivered in many forms and is driven by the customer to meet the needs and goals they want to achieve. Examples
of this are support around debt and budgeting, mental and physical wellbeing, improving self-esteem, tackling substance misuse issues and prevention of re-offending.

NUMBER OF REFERRALS RECEIVED IN 2017

■ Single Adults: 400
■  Young People: 232
■  Family units or Single Young Parents: 25

NUMBER OF NEW INDIVIDUALS ACCOMMODATED IN 2017

■  Single Adults: 90
■  Young People: 32
■  Family units and Single Young Parents: 39

NUMBERS RESETTLED INTO INDEPENDENT ACCOMMODATION IN 2017

■  Single Adults : 44
■  Young People : 15
■  Family units or Single Young Parents: 25

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H - HOUSING
RELATED SUPPORT

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J - JULIAN I - INTERNS
L - LAWRENCE

K - KAREN

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I - INTERNS

For the summer of 2017 we were proud to invite back 2 individuals who we had worked with when they were part of the Waveney Youth Council. Now at University Ray and Nathan assisted us in bid development
and writing, successfully securing over £65,000 of funding for various projects across the Trust.
Ray - was a previous Ormiston Denes Academy and East Norfolk Sixth Form student who now attends Imperial College London studying MBBS Medicine, BSc Medical Sciences and Level 5 Science Policy
Nathan - was a previous Ormiston Denes Academy and Lowestoft Sixth Form College student who now attends Liverpool John Moores University studying MPharm Pharmacy

J - JULIAN (in his own words)

I took up the gym membership that started in July 2017 and this gave me the inspiration to lose weight and become generally fitter, in the 3 month trial I had lost over 5kg in weight, just by going to the gym.
The other benefits to this is through the regular attendance at the gym, it has had a significant impact on my overall wellbeing, stress levels and productivity. I normally use the gym prior to starting work,
although it seems to be counter-intuitive due to my intensive gym programme, I feel more energised when starting work and it places me in the right mind-set for the working day.
In becoming fitter it has given me the confidence to challenge myself further, such as taking part in Parkrun and setting a reasonable time of 28.42 for a 5km run, which is incredible considering where I was
prior to July. I had also walked up and down Snowdon on holiday in just under 3.5 hours and this is something that would have taken me longer prior to my improved fitness levels. I cannot emphasise enough
the overall effect this has had on my well-being and it is also an added benefit to working in such an amazing place.

K - KAREN (in her own words)

My name is Karen Wood I’m 39 years old, I have been with Access since June 2017. I started with Mindful Pathways helping out in groups, doing admin and helping the client with their problems. Now I am
with the dual diagnosis team and I am building up a client base to either go out and see at their homes or at the Anchor on a one to one, letting them off load or to see if there is anything I can help them with.
My role also involves going out onto the street to see if I can get homeless or people that are in addiction to engage in our service, I am in recovery myself from drugs and alcohol and have been for 2 years and
5 months so I feel I can share my experience, strength and hope with people.

L - LAWRENCE (in his own words)

Hello my name is Lawrence and I volunteer at Access community Trust. I started volunteering eight months ago, it’s helped me come out of my shell while boosting my confidence in a friendly and nurturing
environment. During my time at Access I’ve been confident enough to help our clients reach their potential and have been able to set up my own project which provides a safe place where people can come
and take part in social games and more. I’ve come to the stage in my personal growth where I’m confident in my own abilities that I’m pushing myself even further by looking for paid employment all while
helping the community and being supported by Access.

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M - MUSIC AND THEATRE

In 2017 we strengthened our commitment of investing and developing enhanced support attending was awe and amazement at the overall production. In October a group of 17 people
services, recognising that for many, the usual and sometimes very structured support is not went to London to see a production called The Terrible Infants by Les Enfants Terrible. A unique
always accessible. In May we employed our very first Arts and Culture Education Coordinator. show which was composed from mystical tales which included comedy, drama, magic and
Lee tells us ‘since being in post I have worked very closely with the internal and external song. Performed in the beautiful and RIBA award winning Wilton’s Music Hall in Whitechapel.
customers of Access Community Trust. Everyone is and can be creative and this can take any The participants got to tour the theatre and also met with the cast afterwards.’
form from being an audience member of a theatre performance to being active within the arts
which might be playing an instrument. In 2017 I took some of our residents to the theatre. For In this first 7 months this service has engaged with over 100 indivduals, young and old, and
some of these people it was the first time they had ever been to a theatre. In August I took a has started to make a significant impact on the wellbeing of some of our most difficult to
small group of young people to the Theatre Royal in Norwich to see the National Theatre’s engage groups.
production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. The reaction from those

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N - NATURE 27 individuals engaged in this outdoor education programme, enhancing health and well-being
through environmental and conservation orientated activities, whilst allowing them to develop an
Working in partnership with the Green Light Trust, we ran a 10 week programme that commenced appreciation of the environment through education, training and participation.
in May and was aimed at supporting the development of both young people and adults to carry out
a range of practical skills that contributed to the management of woodland at Minsmere Nature
Reserve. Tasks included tree felling/coppicing, green wood work, fire lighting and many others, whilst
also learning about the woodlands and the animals and plants that inhabit them.

O - ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our Organisation development programme is a planned and systematic approach to enabling introduced a Health and Wellbeing Group, Events and Fundraising Group and an Equality, Diversity
sustained organisation performance through the involvement of and investment in its people. For and Inclusion Group. Alongside this we restructured the more traditional meeting processes and
Access ‘people’ incorporates staff, volunteers and all of our customers and communities. In 2017 we introduced 3 new approaches; Thinking, Planning and Doing. We had our 3 year review of our Matrix
added three new representative groups that help drive forward change from the bottom up. We Standard and Investors in People and we successfully retained both awards.

P - PATRICK Over recent times I have worked with partner organisations across Norfolk & Suffolk in constructing
successful consortia bids securing two contracts with the European social fund / Big Lottery to support
I began my time at Access as a temporary Relief Support Worker in 2005 and nearly 13 years on I hardest to reach people in our communities towards employment which has helped to considerably
am still here! At this time the Trust consisted of five supported housing projects all based in Lowestoft. extend our geographical reach.

I progressed to the position of manager at Phoenix House & Haven Court which were our two young Currently I have obtained funding to work with management consultants Eastside Primetimers,
person’s supported housing projects, until Emma asked me if I would take on a 3 month secondment together we are working on plans to develop Access Mindful Pathways (and other services) to enable
with a view to business development in 2009, which has become a very long 3 months. She had them to take on investment and derive a commercial income which will further diversify our income
decided that we could not survive purely as a local supported housing provider and that we needed streams whilst serving to strengthen our existing charitable services.
to diversify and expand our portfolio of services.
I enjoy travelling having spent much of my youth aimlessly backpacking across the continents, I
My initial work consisted of a creating a business plan and securing funding to establish Bridge View frequently visit Africa (not just to call on my in-laws) & have the misfortune of being a lifelong
day centre, setting up the Anchor as a setting for the dual diagnosis team and securing the contract supporter of Chelsea FC.
for John Room House which was the beginning of our geographical expansion.

Over the following years Emma & I have worked on plans that have seen the creation and expansion
of services in areas such as employment mentoring, dedicated youth services, social enterprise and
mental health & wellbeing.

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Q - QUESTS

(noun) a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something - (verb) to search: seek
Our band of merry heros undertook many a quest in 2017, designed to obtain confidence, self-esteem, inspiration and aspiration. Quest
destinations included: a team of staff, apprentices and friends of Access Community Trust took part in the ‘3 Peak Challenge’. Over 9
days the team cycled from peak to peak, stopping off at campsites on the way. Our apprentices were given the opportunity to explore
the country and visiting landmarks and tourist attractions. Funds raised were used to give more young people the opportunity to go on
trips and go to places they have never been before. We recognise the importance for young people to be involved in enrichment projects
as it helps to boost their confidence, skills and knowledge of the country they live in.

R - RUNNING

Parkrun Lowestoft, our very own, weekly, 5k, timed, walk, jog or run aimed at increasing exercise participation within the local community
as well as attracting tourists from far and wide across the United Kingdom as well as overseas.

To date and since our inaugural event on 31st October 2015, we have supported 3,360 individuals to become or keep physically active
whilst covering an overall distance of 107,520 km. During 2017, there were numerous milestones along the Lowestoft Seafront, including
a new attendance record of 305 participants and a total number numbers of annual attendees that reached 2287.

This increasingly popular, free activity is open to all ages and abilities, from beginners to Olympians we welcome everyone. Our event
starts each and every Saturday morning at 0900 just outside the East Point Pavilion and finishes nearby to the Claremont Pier, participate,
volunteer, or simply encourage the crowds of a people that join in. The ever positive and inspiring atmosphere is not to be missed.

S - SAXMUNDHAM

Our young peoples service in Saxmundham has now successfully engaged with
one hundred and eighty seven young people through direct support within the
Youth Booth. Building on the strong foundations that were laid in the previous
year, our services have gone from strength to strength whilst continually
expanding to provide the young people the opportunity to learn, develop and
make a difference to their town.

In 2017 we facilitated the start-up of the Saxmundham Youth Council which
now meets bi-monthly and allows young people the chance to have a clear
and meaningful influence on existing and future community plans.

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T - TRACY (in her own words) Time to Shine - We recognised that more could be done in equipping vulnerable young people with the
skills and confidence for progression into a more secure and stable space. Utilising principles and tools of
I’m Tracey, Team Leader at The Fyffe Centre and I have been working for Access since 2014. After working Psychological Informed Environments, we are building a more consistent, inclusive and participative culture
as a support worker within a family project, I was promoted and moved over to the Fyffe Centre in April
2017. Supporting complex residents along their journey into independent living is a very satisfying and Customers, staff, volunteers, Trustees and trusted partners stand united together in the development
rewarding job. In 2017, The Fyffe Centre gave opportunities to 47 new people to move in to supported of the organisation, its services and the impacts and outcomes we aim to achieve.
accommodation. I am immensely proud to say that The Fyffe Team and I were part of that movement.
V - VOLUNTEERS
U - UNITED
Volunteer East, which is funded by Big Lottery and led in partnership with Lowestoft Rising, is a
We have worked hard throughout 2017 to unite our people through a strength based approach supported volunteering service that was launched in April. Its aim is to get long term unemployed
underpinned by customer experience and involvement. We wanted to reaffirm our on-going back into meaningful activity whilst providing the town of Lowestoft with a team of volunteers to
commitment to putting customers at the heart of all that we do by developing specific participation support those most in need. In 2017 the following was achieved: 2078 individual contacts were made,
strategies for our adults and young people. These strategies are: 192 individuals took part in at least 1 volunteering project, 52 volunteers have been supported by a
personal volunteer mentor, 125 have been signposted to other work options and 4 have secured paid
New Sign, New Time - Our adult services will provide a psychologically aware approach which employment as a direct result of volunteering.
recognises the need to work creatively and constructively within a broadly therapeutic framework to
foster meaningful participation and skills development

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the work space W – THE WORKSPACE

This service is our bespoke adult employment and volunteering centre which provides several
differently funded projects. Community Challenge, funding led by New Anglia Local Enterprise
Partnership (LEP) achieved the following outcomes in 2017: 32 individuals secured paid
employment, 7 secured places on long term courses, including university and 17 started formal
volunteering placements. 68 individuals also attended employment skills workshops.
Overall The Work Space has an average of 222 individuals ‘dropping in’ for support every month.

X - XTRAS

Everything we do is driven by our customers, staff, associates and volunteers. Without their
continued support we wouldn’t be able to meet the increasing demands with such creativity,
passion and enthusiasm. It would be impossible to name everyone at Access but as with most
things in life, it’s the ‘extras’ that really help put on any production.

Y - YES WE CAN!

There is very little the Access says no to. As part of our commitment to investing in our
communities we often get asked to help smaller organisations or take on new projects. We said
yes to a lease at Marram Green where we have opened our second café and we said yes to
providing an organisational umbrella of support to local mental health charity Feedback. In
partnership with Lowestoft Rising and Salvation Army we also said yes to stepping in and
operating the East Suffolk Foodbank when they sadly had to close due to funding challenges.
On a smaller scale we operate a ‘you said, we did’ scheme for all of our customers and in 2017
we said yes to the following initiatives:
■ Initiative text to come
■ Initiative text to come
■ Initiative text to come
■ Initiative text to come

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Z - ZOOM IN

The production of the 2017 annual report was captured by Henry, our Media Production Assistant.
Henry explains ‘all my life I’ve enjoyed filmmaking. From short sci-fi and fantasy films in high school
to making holiday videos that were far more extravagant than necessary, it’s always been a passion
of mine. I started working for Access Community Trust initially for a year as a relief, but when I heard
about the burgeoning media department I leapt at the chance to get involved. Since taking on my
responsibilities as Media Production Assistant I’ve worked on many different projects. Some have
been for specific viewings, for example short pieces to help Access get funding or testimonials for
workshops and courses to demonstrate the positive effects Access’s services have on people.
You can ZOOM IN on our annual report production by visiting…………………………

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