CYMDEITHAS TAI HAFAN HAS PRIDE OF PLACE

11 th October, 2005

A presentation was recently held in Carmarthen's Civic Hall for the winners of the Carmarthen in Bloom 2005 competition organised by the Carmarthen Town Council.

Queen Street in which Cymdeithas Tai Hafan is sits took first prize in the prestigious Carmarthen in Bloom 2005 Pride of Place in a Conservation Area Competition.

Cathy Davies, CTH Director said:-
“We are delighted to have been partly responsible for winning this section of the competition. Queen Street
is beautiful and one which we are proud to work from.”

TAI HAFAN'S YOUNG WOMEN'S PROJECT ENJOY POLISH EXCHANGE

20 th September, 2005

Eight young women throughout Wales from Cymdeithas Tai Hafan's Young Women's Projects recently visited Zamosc in Poland on a Youth Exchange Trip. Their hosts were OHP.

The aim of the exchange was for the young women to learn about the different cultures and how the young of Poland cope with their daily lives. The women worked at communicating, interacting, learning about local history and giving presentations of the areas in which they live in Wales and also some of the local Polish history.

Cymdeithas Tai Hafan is a charitable housing association providing housing and support services to women with a variety of needs. It is the only housing association in Wales to offer a person-centred approach to the provision of housing and support services to women, by women.

During their stay, the women saw such sights as Poland's National Park, a small museum of past country life in Zagrodo Guciow, and Majdanek which was the second biggest concentration camp in Europe. They sampled local fayre including Polish Milaek, a natural yoghurt and Polish apple pie.

The women then gave presentations on the negative and positive sides of living in Wales which included short talks and displays of posters which they had been up all night preparing.

Diane Fletcher, Project Manager of Cymdeithas Tai Hafan's Young Women's Project in Rhyl said:-

“The young women have returned to Wales with much to think about after visiting the second biggest concentration camp Majdanek. All feel they have benefited greatly from this trip, and as the leader of this group, I feel that the young women have grown in confidence and shown real progress in dealing with their own lives.”

For the Polish exchange itinerary please click here

TAI HAFAN WOMEN KNOW WHAT THEY WANT
19 th September, 2005
Tenants from Cymdeithas Tai Hafan, the housing association which caters for women and their children, wanted to get more involved in their themed regional tenants get togethers so that's what they did.

The themed get togethers are a way for staff and tenants to meet to discuss the needs of the women and how these can be best met by the association.

Calling themselves “What Women Want” they set about organising the next get together. With help from some of the staff, the tenants decided on the theme of debt management. One member was given the task of inviting to the next meeting a member of the Credit Union and a Debt Management Specialist. Next was to organise the Hollywell Leisure Centre as the venue. One of the tenants was competent with a computer so she agreed to take minutes and carry out administrative work. All committee members agreed to approach the Wrexham Young Women's Project to do the catering as part of Tenant Participation.

To open the event, two of the women overcame their nerves and did a great job. The event ran smoothly. So professional were the women, that feedback forms were given out to gather information for the next meeting and a debriefing meeting was held shortly after, together with letters of thanks to the speakers, venue and the caterers.

Janis Owen, Project Co-ordinator said:-

“It has been interesting to observe how some of the women have bloomed and become so confident. They have commented how they feel much more a part of Tai Hafan. One likened it to being part of a family.

The next aim is to involve more tenants by speaking to them at the next Regional Tenants Get Together about giving their opinions and suggestions for Forward Planning which is the theme for December's meeting. Judging by this event, we should get a positive response!”

CYMDEITHAS TAI HAFAN WINS VAL FELD HOMELESSNESS AWARD 2005
5 th JULY, 2005
Cymdeithas Tai Hafan's Young Women's Project in Wrexham has won the Val Feld homelessness award 2005.

The award, which is run by Shelter Cymru, the leading Welsh homeless charity, was launched in 2002 in memory of its first Director, Val Feld, who tragically died in 2001 and is presented annually to an initiative that addresses the issues surrounding women and homelessness.

Tai Hafan, who also won the award in 2003 picked up the award which consists of a sculpture designed by Welsh artist Helen Sinclair and a cash prize of £2,000 at a ceremony held in the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea recently.

Tai Hafan's Project Wrexham provides a secure base for vulnerable young women aged between sixteen and twenty one. These young women are supported while they explore the options and opportunities open to them. They receive training in topics ranging from basic DIY and general home maintenance, coping on a low income , confidence building; coping with stress and anger; relationships to diet & exercise.

The project boasts six flats plus a project room where the activities take place.

Jean Topping, Manager of Project Wrexham said:-

“Winning the Val Feld Award for 2005 is a real boost for Tai Hafan and Project Wrexham. The tenants and staff have decided to use the money to cultivate and plant a garden dedicated to the memory of Val Feld.”

Cathy Davies, Tai Hafan's Chief Executive said:

“When I first heard the news that the project had won the award, I immediately thought ‘oh good, it's come home!'. The staff put the application together themselves and made it happen. It's a huge recognition not only for Tai Hafan but the dedicated and hard working staff.”

Tai Hafan is a charitable housing association providing housing and support services to women with a variety of needs. It is the only housing association in Britain to offer a person-centred approach to the provision of housing and support services to women, by women.

NEW YOUNG WOMEN'S PROJECT OPENS IN WREXHAM

17 TH MAY, 2005

Over 55 guests helped the tenants and Tai Hafan staff to celebrate the opening of the new Wrexham Young Women's Project recently, with The Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor David Rogers cutting a ceremonial plaited ribbon of purple and green, the Tai Hafan colours.

Tai Hafan is a charitable housing association providing housing and support services to women with a variety of needs. It is the only housing association in Britain to offer a person-centred approach to the provision of housing and support services to women, by women.

The launch coincided with Tai Hafan's New Dawn initiative which provides access to accredited training thus aiding personal development and improving opportunities for further education and employment for its service users.

Tenants are given training in topics ranging from Basic DIY & General Home Maintenance, Coping on a low income , Confidence Building; Coping with Stress & Anger; Relationships to Diet & Exercise, the latter being the theme of the day's launch.

The tenants of the project had spent the previous day preparing the buffet, including baking cakes and sandwiches. At their request a bowl of fruit was placed alongside the cakes to provide a healthy option – putting the theory they had learnt into practice.

The project boasts six flats plus a project room where the participation activities take place. One of the tenants opened up her flat to allow visitors to see what the flats are like.

Cathy Davies, Tai Hafan's Chief Executive said:

“It has taken five years to establish a Young Women's Project in Wrexham. However the value of the project has quickly proved itself. It's already full and has a waiting list.

Special thanks should be given to all the agencies who have worked with Tai Hafan to bring this project to fruition. These include Wrexham County Borough Council and the Wales and West Housing Association.”


TAI HAFAN SOLVES DISPUTES WITH MEDIATION SERVICE
17 TH MAY, 2005

Mediation Heddfan – “a peaceful place” – is a three year pilot project to establish and evaluate the effectiveness of using mediation within three major housing associations Tai Hafan, Trothwy Cyf and Tai Cymdogaeth.

The project was match funded by a Social Housing Management Grant by the Welsh Assembly.

The aim of the project is to create a quality, skilled and confidential mediation service which can be used by neighbours in dispute, or where communication has broken down. Referrals can come from staff, or as self referrals from tenants and service users, especially where tenancies are at risk from anti-social behaviour and where community safety and sustainability is under threat. Or simply where a person's ability to live in their home in an enjoyable way is aggravated by noise, children's behaviour, car parking, or dog mess.

Trained mediators, employees within the three organisations are stepping outside their normal roles to mediate for each others tenants, thus pioneering and modelling working in partnership and ensuring impartiality and confidentiality for service users.

A steering group made up of representatives from the three housing associations meets regularly to develop this exciting new opportunity for tenants and service users.

Co-mediators visit parties separately (only if they are willing and interested in such a meeting) and provide a safe way for feelings to be heard with empathy and respect, whilst identifying the issues and needs which need to be resolved.

In some cases, this can be enough to ease the situation, but if both parties are willing, then a joint meeting is arranged at a neutral venue, to hear each others side, and the mediators facilitate people finding their own way through to common ground, and reaching agreements which are fair and work well for all involved. Alternatively, shuttle mediation may be used if the parties are not able to come together.

Cathy Davies – Tai Hafan's Chief Executive said:-

“The process of mediation is an empowering one, where the people in dispute find their own solutions. No one is blamed, but rather enabled to come to a win/win situation, and is forward focussed, after distress about the past has been acknowledged.

It can be very cost effective, potentially saving both financially and staff hours, in preventing or de-escalating long term conflicts and complaints.”

The project which is currently in operation in Swansea and Carmarthenshire, is hoping to extend its service to include Neath, Port Talbot , Pembrokeshire and Ystradgynlais for the next two years.

The project will then evaluate the success of the service, and look at the possibility of becoming self funding, working with other social landlords in South Wales .

NEW YOUNG WOMEN'S PROJECT OPENS IN WREXHAM

Over 55 guests helped the tenants and Tai Hafan staff to celebrate the opening of the new Wrexham Young Women's Project recently, with The Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor David Rogers cutting a ceremonial plaited ribbon of purple and green, the Tai Hafan colours.

Tai Hafan is a charitable housing association providing housing and support services to women with a variety of needs. It is the only housing association in Britain to offer a person-centred approach to the provision of housing and support services to women, by women.

The launch coincided with Tai Hafan's New Dawn initiative which provides access to accredited training thus aiding personal development and improving opportunities for further education and employment for its service users.

Tenants are given training in topics ranging from Basic DIY & General Home Maintenance, Coping on a low income , Confidence Building; Coping with Stress & Anger; Relationships to Diet & Exercise, the latter being the theme of the day's launch.

The tenants of the project had spent the previous day preparing the buffet, including baking cakes and sandwiches. At their request a bowl of fruit was placed alongside the cakes to provide a healthy option – putting the theory they had learnt into practice.

The project boasts six flats plus a project room where the participation activities take place. One of the tenants opened up her flat to allow visitors to see what the flats are like.

Cathy Davies, Tai Hafan's Chief Executive said:

“It has taken five years to establish a Young Women's Project in Wrexham. However the value of the project has quickly proved itself. It's already full and has a waiting list.

Special thanks should be given to all the agencies who have worked with Tai Hafan to bring this project to fruition. These include Wrexham County Borough Council and the Wales and West Housing Association.”

COMIC RELIEF'S RED NOSE DAY LAUNCH COMES TO TAI HAFAN

Comic relief's Red Nose Day 2005 Campaign was launched in Wales on Monday, 7 th of February. To celebrate the launch Feorne Cotton and Chris Parker visited Cymdeithas Tai Hafan in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. Tai Hafan support vulnerable women and their children throughout Wales many of whom have experienced Domestic Abuse.

Celebrities Fearne and Chris (late of Eastenders) learnt of Comic Reliefs latest funding initiative which includes supporting Tai Hafan's new Schools Liaison Officer, who's role is to highlight the issues of Domestic Abuse in Secondary Schools through Wales, with the use of the ‘Spectrum Pack' a PSE (personal and Social Education pack aimed at Years 7, 8 and 9 i.e. children between the ages of 11 and 14.

Fun activities were also part of the visit and stars and staff had a good time spray painting their hair red- in keeping with Comic Relief's Big Hair Campaign.

Cathy Davies, Chief Executive of Tai Hafan said:

“Domestic Abuse can affect 1 in 4 families during a lifetime and in 90% of incidents within families, children are in the same or next room.”

Sam Jones, Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Carmarthenshire said:

“It is important to highlight this problem and what better way to start than in schools. PSE at KS3 covers an important part of children's daily lives, by covering sensitive subjects such as Domestic Abuse it helps children who suffer at home realise that there is help available.”

Project Pearl Wins First Ever
Shelter Cymru Val Feld Homelesness Award 2003

Big congratulations go to Liz and her team in Project Pearl for winning this award which includes a cast bronze statue and cheque for £2,000! The practical financial help will be of great benefit to Project Pearl. It makes it possible for the young women to take part in community based activities, access sport and leisure facilities and make a positive contribution to building on self esteem and confidence.

Val Feld died of cancer in 2001, she was in her fifties. Both Cathy and Mary worked with Val over a number of years, and respected her knowledge and commitment to all equality issues.
Val was the founding director of Shelter Cymru and helped to create a number of important organisations in Wales including Chwarae Teg. Before her election as Assembly Member she was the Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission in Wales and campaigned tirelessly for women’s rights. The award is a way of remembering Val’s commitment to quality housing for everyone.

• From the beginning of Tai Hafan we have supported and empowered women, an ethos that Val Feld held close to her heart, and spoke out for at every opportunity.

For those of you who are new to Tai Hafan, Project Pearl is based in Haverford West, Pembrokeshire. It provides a safe base for vulnerable young women between the ages of 16 and 21, including some who are leaving the care of a Local Authority. The young women are supported while they explore the options and opportunities open to them: such as further education, training and employment. Led by Liz Reveley, the Project Pearl team provides emotional and practical support, encouraging young women to accept responsibility for themselves and move on to independent living. Our Rhyl Young Women’s project was runner up in the competition.

Rumour has it they have set their sights on winning next year’s award. No doubt other cluster schemes will want to take part? Information will be circulated as soon as it is received in the Carmarthen Office.