Aims and Objectives

To achieve the stated purpose, the following aims and objectives must be attained.

• To provide a good standard of accommodation with a sense of stability.
• To provide support in current situations by enabling tenants to develop coping skills and life skills, which will enable them to manage.
• To help tenants to reflect on their needs and goals.
• To encourage personal responsibility.
• To develop links with other agencies, which will enable tenants to access specialist support.
• To help tenants to develop all skills necessary to move to more independent living.

How Will ArkAngel achieve its aims?

• We will seek to avoid prescriptive approaches and will draw upon a variety of methods of working and interventions.
• We will recognise an individual's rights and empower them to exercise their rights through informed choice regarding service delivery. Where the tenant is unable to exercise their rights, effective support and advocacy will be provided.
• We will endeavour to treat all individuals with respect and dignity operating in a spirit of trust and openness.
• We recognise and understand the need for anti-discriminatory practice, empowering the individual to recognise and deal with direct and indirect discrimination. As an organisation we operate in accordance with the ArkAngel policy of equality and diversity which incorporates the race relations 1976, disability discrimination act 1995, human rights act 1998 and sex discrimination act 1975 and any subsequent amendments to these.
• We acknowledge the differences between individuals in a positive way and promote services that cater for those differences.
• We will embrace the values of diversity and ensure that in all aspects of service planning and provision, a tenant's religious and cultural views are respected.
• We will respect and maintain confidentiality as it relates to tenant's rights of control over personal information and the Ark's responsibilities to all individuals whom it serves. However, (Within accordance with the ArkAngel policy of confidentiality) where a service-user's actions or behaviour represents a serious risk to the safety or well being of other service users, staff, the community or the organisation we may however to disclose information without getting consent.
• We will promote effective communication through a variety of methods in ways that positively recognise different viewpoints.
• We will endeavour to adopt a person centred approach, when offering support activities - such activities being designed to meet the needs and aspirations of each individual.

What Type of Support do Tenants Receive?

As a team and as individual staff members we will help to encourage and promote your self-worth, self-esteem and confidence.

We believe a person's dignity demands openness and honesty. We will help and advice in living and social skills by offering guidance, basic counselling and support.

Where it is appropriate, will use all our resources, including referral to other agencies who we believe, share our own ethos and are qualified to assist you in moving forward.

We will encourage you to complete tasks yourself rather than rely on staff. We are enablers not disablers. We will focus on your strengths and encourage you to develop your own solutions and coping mechanisms.

We believe we offer a service that creates options for change and enables an individual to take responsibility for their future by offering informed choices. The individual will be involved in every step of their own care package.

Support offered depends on your needs and interests.

The type of help and supports we offer are:

• Money management / budgeting.
• Plan for the future and promote independent living.
• Deal with leisure activities, education and employment.
• Apply for relevant benefits.
• Make appropriate referrals to other agencies. Community Drug Team, Arch Initiatives, Wirral Alcohol Services, Mind.
• Social isolation.

Tenants are encouraged to enter into training, voluntary work or paid work.

What is the Accommodation Like?

The Houses are fully furnished and each tenant has their own room for which only they and staff have a key.

Staff will not enter a tenant's room without prior notice or permission. The rest of the house is shared with one other person.

Each house is different but in some there is a lounge area each and in others, tenants have to share.

All the houses have shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. They are typical terrace 1920's houses.

You can view our gallery of images from our various Ark Angel houses here.

How does supported housing work?

If a person is offered accommodation with us, a viewing of the property is arranged. If the person is happy to accept the property then a move in date is agreed upon which suites both parties.

On entry a tenant will be allocated a support worker who we feel will best suits the individual. There are times that a change of key worker can be requested and all request are given due consideration.

With the help of a key worker they will then work on the activities, and objectives agreed upon.

The aim is to promote independence.

Is there a charge?

Yes there is a rent cost of £132.35, which is met by housing benefit if an individual is in receipt of benefits. There is also a personal charge of £11.68 a week which goes towards paying utilities bills, TV licence etc.

The rent charges are kept low so we can offer affordable housing for tenants who are working. All bills are included in this price.

Who Are The Support Workers?

The Support workers are from all areas of life and bring with them many skills, life experience and qualifications.

Tenant Groups

Tenants groups can achieve a number of things from campaigning on certain issues to achieving change within their service. These groups consist of people who live within Wirral churches projects acting in a voluntary capacity to promote and defend the interests of tenants.