2021 AGM Meeting
Some key points of interest
2021 AGM Meeting
Some key points of interest
What a year of growth and change!
2020-21 has seen us continue to adapt to the ever changing landscape
Providing:
Housing & Welfare Benefit Advice
Money Advice and Debt service (FCA registration July 20)
Rough Sleeper Outreach team (transferred July 21)
Winter Crisis Houses (Jan – Mar 21)
Supported Accommodation - expanded from 2 to 4 properties
2 pilot ‘Housing First’ flats became Council tenants (Nov 20)
Increase to 6 RSI ‘Housing First’ properties
Additional Office Premises at No7 (Feb 21)
Huge thanks to staff team, volunteers and trustees for supporting the growth and being open to change
2020/2021 Data
Current Position (since April 21)
Our residents achievements
13 Supported Accommodation Clients moved into their own properties
12 Housed rough sleepers had long term accommodation sourced
19 Currently 19 people are in accommodation supported by us, with another 4 beds due to come on board in the next month
3 residents volunteering regularly
I found it really difficult at the start cause I was alone but slowly started to find my feet I feel confident having my own space and a place to go, like a happy place. having you and Dionne helping me find myself and having meetings
I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for R & us as a family so a big Thank you xx
I thank you all everyday because if it wasn’t for your help and support I wouldn’t be here today, so once again I thank you with all the love in my heart x
I found accommodation concern at a point in time that I had nearly lost all hope that things would ever become better, I was disenfranchised, homeless, suffering from addiction, malnutrition and depression. I found it very hard to communicate with organisations such as the council, the jobcentre, mental health services and alike.
Accommodation concern helped me mediate these conversations in a way that made me feel comfortable and respected. Not only that but they showed me the way to other services that I was yet unaware of and helped me with referrals, filling in forms, meetings and phone calls. Which have since helped me with; becoming housed, accessing food banks, mental health services, debt advice, addiction support, mentoring and more, all leading to me being in a much happier, healthier place in life.
Since then I have started to feel not only human again but an empowered member of society, I have found the drive to become the best that I can be, I will shine!
Membership is open to anyone who supports the aims and objectives of Accommodation Concern.
You will receive regular membership updates, with more in-depth information, about the work and plans of Accommodation Concern.
You will have opportunities to be involved with activities/volunteering.
Member Events (may include):
Invitation to our members-only events
Invitation to our members-only feedback forums
Priority invitation to open events
Have a say by voting at the AGM
Membership Donation/Fee
There is no mandatory membership fee however a suggested donation of £10 per person per year towards the cost of running the organisation would be welcomed.
Future plans
Build on our recent Advice Quality Service Audit (AQS) that now sees us holding Advice & Case work recognition for Housing, Welfare Benefits & Debt
Roll out our Housing, Benefit & Debt Advice offer across the unitary North Northants in partnership with NFT
Develop Paper Pals & Money Mentor Volunteer scheme
Source additional Supported Accommodation properties
Develop our user involvement forum to ensure we hear the voice of our clients and residents
Chloe - A law graduate from University of Northampton
I wanted to use my legal skills from the course to support people.
Volunteering for Accommodation Concern was a fantastic learning experience, it’s helped develop my people skills, working with my clients to understand their situation, and then using my research skills to offer them the best advice to manage their debts.
As well as using my communication skills to advocate for them in accessing the right kind of support.
How you can help?
Volunteer:
Trustee
Money Mentor/Paper Pals
Practical
Become an Accommodation Angel