June 2009

Dear Supporters,

We are now half way through 2009 and there are exciting times ahead for us in terms of development.

Our biggest funders, Supporting People, are bringing in a new model for accommodating homeless clients which is being phased in between now and September. It is called the Pathway model and the idea is that there will be four stages for clients from when they first access accommodation through to their own home. The Ark will be the first stage, and clients will stay here approximately 12 weeks. They will then move to a hostel such as the YMCA where their stay will be up to 15 months. From there they will access semi-independent accommodation such as Arkangel, where their stay will be 6 to 12 months and then after that they will move to their own flat or house etc. The idea is to move people through the system as smoothly as possible and hopefully do away with the bed blocking that inevitably occurs at the moment. A generic set of paperwork is being produced so clients will not have to re tell their story and all providers will have the same information. Clients are encouraged to assist in this record keeping and to play an active role in planning their route out of homelessness.

We are intending to build a one-storey 80 square metre training extension to the hostel. This will protrude out from the middle of the rear of the existing building towards the adjacent Council pay and display car park. Matters are progressing reasonably well, and we are hoping for a summer build. We have a builder lined up, have planning permission, have the support of Wirral Council who are giving us the additional land, and have nearly all the required funding. At present we are £20,000 short and are doing all we can to reduce this shortfall.

Wirral Ark Dinghies is our sailing dinghy renovation project, which gives the opportunity to residents of this and other hostels to engage in meaningful occupation, gain practical skills and improve self-confidence. We will buy, renovate and sell dinghies. We have the premises, a manager (and the funding to pay him for two years), and 17 dinghies. We are nearing the end of preparing the premises, and have begun involving residents. We have also begun recruiting volunteers to work alongside our manager in doing themselves the technical repair work, and supervising residents. Well be pleased to show anyone who is interested around the workshop - contact Bob at Mary Cole House.

The Spring dinner at St Michaels was a tremendous success which raised £2,000 for WCAP. Thanks are due to everyone who helped out at this event to make it such a wonderful evening.

The Arkangel houses remain full and active. We have broadened their scope in that they now take referrals from other agencies such as the YMCA and Phoenix, a move that is working well.

This years volunteer social will take place on July 17th between 7:00pm and 10:00pm at St Saviours Parish Centre in Oxton. There will be entertainment, a buffet and hopefully a barbeque, weather providing. It would be lovely to see as many volunteers as possible, so please put the date in your diaries and let me know if you can come.

As always, many thanks to all our supporters for the time and energy they put in towards making this project as successful as it is. If anyone has any queries or comments then please contact me at Mary Cole House or use the on-line contact form on this site.

Sincerely,

Anne O'Marah
Chief Executive