The Winrose Project, from its inception, was developed as a response to ‘a need’ which the Estate Management Board (Now Belle Isle Tenant Management Organization) recognized back in 1993. At that time, as now, the problem of young homelessness was prevalent.
Although some young people were being housed through the normal allocations procedures, the numbers were small and there were considerable management issues surrounding many of them. The Board identified the need for a service which would offer more support than a regular tenancy but would not be hostel type accommodation.
Over the next three years the Board developed and modified their ideas, taking into account financial and practical restraints. They agreed that young people generally were no longer accepting of hostel accommodation but preferred having their own accommodation. However, the Board was equally aware that many of the young people previously housed had little knowledge and/or skills to live independently.
Today, the primary aim of the Winrose Project Floating Support service is for 16-25 year olds who come from the local communities of south Leeds.
The service provides support on a whole range of issues, which include:
• Budgeting skills.
• Claiming welfare benefits.
• Setting up home and settling in.
• Understanding tenancy agreements.
• Life skills and becoming more independent at home.
• Accessing daytime activities, training, education and employment.
• Accessing other useful services.
• Help with repairing or building social and family relationships.
• Support in feeling motivated to make changes.
• Support with social and leisure activities.
• Emotional support.
• Advocacy and liaison with Anti Social Behaviour Unit.
• Signposting to specialist agencies (e.g Drugs, Alcohol dependency).
• Signposting to other types of accommodation.
20 year old Joe Silverwood from Belle Isle recommends the service. Joe says:
“The Winrose Project got me on a bricklaying course. I am now well on track for a valuable NVQ, which will greatly increase my chance of gaining full time employment. The project continues to provide support by attending interviews with me and helping me claim extra cash during my course. Thanks to the project, I am now looking forward to a new life in my chosen career”.
19 year old Stacy Abbot from Middleton recommends the service. Stacy says:
“The Winrose Project helped me for almost 2 years. During that time they supported my initial application for housing, which resulted in me getting a one bedroom flat on the BITMO estate. More recently, they helped me apply and then settle into my two bedroom house by speaking to the staff at the BITMO housing office, Gas and Electric companies on my behalf. Pauline, Jo and George have been fantastic”.
22 year old Vicky Hearsum from Richmond Hill recommends the service. Vicky says:
“The project have supported me with everything to do with my tenancy on the Belle Isle estate. From helping me complete my housing application, to help in claiming my benefits and even obtaining furniture. When I drop into their office in Winrose Drive, they are so friendly, they always make time to listen and support me on any issues or worries that I share with them”. I know they are always there for me”.
The project workers could work with young people in the family setting to enable them to remain living at home or will work with young people who cannot live at home, by assisting them to live independently.
They also work closely with other young people's services such as Connexions, Community Colleges, and detached youth workers as well as local housing offices.
Each young person will spend time with a support worker and working together they will decide on the level of support needed to either remain at home or to live elsewhere.
A personal plan will show who is responsible for each action, how the support will be provided and for how long.
The plan will include all the things the young person would like to achieve. Young people need to show a commitment to their personal plan.
Young people can ask for help from the floating support service themselves.
Relatives or other agencies that work with young people can also make a referral to the service on the young person's behalf.
Application forms and leaflets are available by downloading from the right of this page.
The support workers will make a joint visit to your home to complete an assessment and discuss what help you need.
If you are accepted into the scheme a second visit will be made to agree the date the service will start and for you to sign the documents required.
Also at this visit an 'Individual Support Plan' will be drawn up showing the areas of support to be provided to you.
Your key worker will visit you primarily on a weekly basis and the time spent with you each week will vary. For example, one day you may need help to complete a form, another day you may need advice on personal training.
Every three months your situation will be reviewed to see how you are getting on.
The support can be extended for a period up to two years, but the aim is to help you become independent so that you won't continue to need the help.
There will usually be a period of less intensive support before the service is withdrawn altogether. You will have a say in when and how this happens.
How can I find out more?
Contact the Winrose Project Floating Support Service on the telephone number below or ask someone you know well to contact us for you and refer you to the scheme.
• Tel: 0113 2715718 or 0113 2776573
• If you wish to make a referral to the service download a copy of the application form from the right of this page.
• If you wish to have this information in a leaflet form, please download a copy also found on the right of this page.
All cases are dealt with in the strictest confidence