Welsh housing and homelessness support organisations have been recognised for their work to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Wales at the 10th anniversary of the Promoting Independence Awards, held on 2 December in Cardiff.
Organised by Cymorth Cymru, the Promoting Independence Awards celebrate the success of a sector that works with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society, as well as challenging stereotypes and recognising the inspirational journeys and achievements of those very people.
The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 aimed to change the ways in which Wales tackles homelessness through increasing the focus on prevention, improving access to the private rented sector and aiming to ensure every citizen has a safe and comfortable place to live. The winners of this year’s awards have shown that despite a challenging financial environment, they are vital partners in delivering these aims and improving lives.
The winners were as follows:
- Showcase Award for Homelessness Prevention, sponsored by Crisis (Winner: Gwalia’s Prison Link Cymru). Championing one of the Welsh Government’s core strategies to prevent homelessness among marginalised groups and reduce re-offending, the project provides targeted support for people who are at risk of losing their home while in prison. The initiative has changed the way it works with prisoners in line with the new government policy and demonstrated impressive achievements during 2015/16, preventing homelessness for 944 out of the 1,066 people referred to the service.
- Showcase Award for Personal Achievement sponsored by Pobl Care & Support (Winners: Lisa Parry supported by Gisda andRob Carpenter, supported by Dimensions UK; Highly Commended: Alan Middleton, Emily Petrauskyte, Haydn Davies, Mark Richards, Ngozi Ononye, Tim Campion, Rachael Purnell, Rob Carpenter, Phil Ayres and Wayne Elleway.)
- Working in Partnership Award, sponsored by Llamau (Winner: Basement@53)
- Service Innovation Award, sponsored by Accelero Digital (Winner: The Salvation Army; Highly Commended: Huggard Substance Misuse Responder Project).
- Involvement and Engagement sponsored by Gofal (Winner: Shelter Cymru’s Take Notice Project). The skills of people in need of support have been harnessed by this project, with a clear impact on the way support is being delivered and policy is being implemented. Take Notice was recognised for listening to the expertise of people who have experienced homelessness. The project has suggested engaging ways to work with people across Wales. This method of working has shown how forming a relationship between organisations and the people supported by them can bring positive change in the way services are delivered.
- Commissioning Excellence Award, sponsored by The Salvation Army (Highly Commended: Vale of Glamorgan Council)
- Employment, Training & Skills Award, sponsored by Coastal Housing Group (Winner: Symud Ymlaen – Moving Forward – a Llamau project). Some of the most vulnerable young people in Wales have been supported by this project. Set up in 2013 to develop skills to help young people find work, over two thirds of those who completed the project’s placements either continued on to employment or returned to education. The Moving Forward Project has shown that supporting young people in Wales who have experienced the care or criminal justice system to gain skills and confidence can bring impressive results.
- Inspirational Colleague Award,sponsored by Gwent Regional Collaborative Committee (Winner: Lisa Lanfear from Community Horse and Pony Scheme; Highly Commended: Lisa Hope from Hafan Cymru and Janne Doidge from Ty Gobaith.)