Our
Young Women’s Projects offers a holistic approach to the provision
of support. The Projects’ support staff work with the young women
to build towards a positive future, living independently in the community,
by the promotion of education, training and social networks, and by the
development of personal interests and leisure activities. Support staff
are sensitive to the needs of young women living within the Projects who
have experienced the effects of family breakdown and abuse. Young women
are supported in addressing their emotional needs through the use of counselling
skills.
We have a structured support package which enables young women to develop their skills and confidence. The Projects’ staff negotiate with the young women to draw up individual support plans, and work with them to set and reach agreed aims. Support is provided in a relaxed and flexible environment. Some of the areas worked on during the support work are; budgeting, cooking, DIY, finances, school/education, training, work, sports, leisure, social skills, self harm, eating disorders, depression, long term plans etc.
Our
first project for young women leaving care was set up in Carmarthen in
October 1995 through a partnership between Tai Hafan, and Carmarthenshire
Social Services, with additional funding from BBC Children in Need. The
Project provides short term housing and support for young women between
the ages of 16 and 21 years who are leaving Local Authority Care, or who
are vulnerable under the terms of the Children Act 1989. The Project consists
of supported housing – a house in Johnstown, Carmarthen, shared
by three young women and 2 self contained flats for young women who require
greater independence or who have a child. It also provides floating support
and outreach support for an additional 6 young women.
The Rhyl Young Women’s Project has been
open since 1998 and was Tai Hafan’s second Project for Young Women.
The Project aims to provide vulnerable young women, including young mothers,
with the support they need to build up their confidence and self-esteem
before moving on into independent living. The Project provides housing
and intensive support for vulnerable young women between the ages of 16
and 25, some of whom will be pregnant or are already young mothers with
babies. Referrals are accepted from all sources, including self-referrals,
but as the flats are one bed only, the Project cannot take referrals of
young women with children over one year old. However, the needs of these
young women can now be met through floating support as the Project can
support an additional 10 young women in a variety of tenures. Pre-tenancy
support can also be provided, thanks to a grant from the Esmee Fairbourn
Trust for an Outreach Worker.
Project
Pearl was established in Haverfordwest in 2000, through a partnership
between Tai Hafan, Pembrokeshire Social Services and Pembrokeshire Housing
Association. Project Pearl is Tai Hafan’s third Project specifically
for young women and provides supported housing for vulnerable young women,
between the ages of 16 and 21 who have either left Local Authority Care,
or are vulnerable under the terms of the Children Act 10989, and require
a period of supported housing before living independently.
The Project offers two levels of housing:
For young women requiring a high level of support Tai Hafan manages a
three bedroomed house where young women have their own bedrooms and share
kitchen, bathroom and living facilities.
For young women requiring a lower level of support and for young women
with a child, two self-contained flats are provided. Here women will receive
support until they, and their Project Co-ordinator, feel they are able
to manage independently. When this stage is reached, the young woman will
be able to continue to live in her flat, and Pembrokeshire Housing Association
will provide another flat for the Project to offer to someone else in
need of housing and support. This is known as Floating Support. In addition,
the Project’s Floating Support Service now supports an additional
2 young women who have been referred by the Probation Service.
The Conwy Young Women’s Project was established in 2002, and works closely with Conwy Social Services. It provides temporary supported housing for 5 young women who are Leaving LA Care, or who are vulnerable and in need of support. The project consist of a shared house for 3 young women and 2 self-contained flats or houses. Here young women will receive support until they, and their Project Co-ordinator, feel they are able to manage independently. When this stage is reached, the young woman will be able to continue to live in her flat, and another flat will be provided for the Project to offer to someone else in need of housing and support. This is known as Floating Support.
The young women's project in Rhondda Cynon Taff began in late 2001 as a partnership between Tai Hafan and Newydd Housing Association, and is now run as a close partnership also with Social Services Leaving Care Team. It provides support to 6 young women through supporting them in permanent tenancies provided by Newydd – through floating support. The projects also has a shared house and can provide up to three young women with their individual bedrooms and shared facilities.
Wrexham Young Women's Project
Wrexham Young Women's Project offers supported housing for vulnerable young women aged 16-25 year old. The project consists of six flats in total, three one bedroom flats and three studio flats.