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CO-ORDINATORS REPORT I have now completed my first full year as Co-ordinator of My Sister's Place, and feel that, as a team we have achieved a great deal in a relatively short space of time.The main priority for the year has been to strengthen the financial position of the project, and we have performed well meeting a rise in demand for services within existing budgets and generating income to meet our reserves policy. I would like to thank our funder's who have been flexible and responsive to the changing demands of the service and we have been the fortunate recipients of a number of small grants that have enabled us to meet the needs of the community by offering support groups and training throughout Middlesbrough. Effective partnership working has been another priority and we have met the challenge of the Multi-Agency Crime Reduction agenda, demonstrating our specialist knowledge in this field, and working effectively with a range of partners to implement new initiatives and approaches both in Middlesbrough and more widely across Teesside. Strategically, we have laid a number of good foundations that we look forward to developing in the future. My final word has to be about the people that have the skills and willingness to move this project forward and implement new ideas. My thanks to the staff, volunteers and Management Committee members that have supported me and made this a successful year. Becky Rogerson Project Co-ordinator SERVICE PROVISION SUPPORT We support women on a one to one basis through the criminal and civil justice processes and within other statutory arena's. In total 1560 support sessions have taken place within the centre including legal assistance. LEGAL ASSISTANCE Legal protection is a specialisation within My Sisters Place, we provide legal options to women, information regarding Injunctions and other family law issues, as well as supporting women to access the Criminal Justice System.This year we have forged new links with local solicitors and continue to be supported by the existing surgery providers.We are now able to offer women access to one of seven law firms specialising in Family Law. We have also been involved in plans to develop a Specialist Domestic Violence Court in Middlesbrough although this is in the preliminary stages we are fully supporting the Courts through this process COUNSELLING SERVICE This year there have been seen significant changes in counselling provision within My Sisters Place with the expansion of both service provision and number of counsellors delivering our 'In House' service. Over the year we have seen an extension of the service provision from three to five days a week, facilitating an increase of 44%, on referral requests as compared with the previous year, equating to a total of 564 sessions being offered This has reduced waiting times from 7 weeks to 3 weeks. Working partnerships have now been established with Redcar and Cleveland College, and Darlington College and we are now supervising trainee counsellors to build the capacity in this service. We have implemented a range of Counselling Policies and Procedures to ensure good practice throughout the service with defined assessment, referral, supervision and evaluation tools now in place and as a result have obtained organisational membership of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. SURGERY PROVISION IN EAST MIDDLESBROUGH We are aware of the importance of being accessible within the localities and have piloted service provision within East Middlesbrough. This is ongoing and will be developed in the coming year. SAFE My Sisters Place has provided support for women whose partners are attending the Non Court Mandated Perpetrator Programme (Safe Project). The project has a key role in this project in terms of Risk Assessment and Risk Management.This partnership approach to working with 'families' rather than victims alone, demonstrates an important shift in approach, as we move more closely to a multi-agency problem solving method of working. CHAIRS REPORT 2005/06 has been a year of progress and stability within MSP.The counseling service has seen the establishment of a paid post, implementation of good practice guidelines and secured organisational membership of the BACP. The service provided to the community has increased again this year, with more women accessing the drop-in and appointment system. This has led to a consideration on space within the centre, and it has been one of the items, which is being addressed through the new business plan produced for 2006/2009. Strong links with other agencies and National Organisations have been maintained including the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership enabling MSP to lead and be involved in a number of new initiatives to reduce crime and protect victims. Can I express my thanks to all staff and volunteers who have given 110% this year to ensure the continued success of the service. Also thanks to the other Executive Members who provide regular commitment and valued input to MSP. Kathleen Hierons Chair, MSP Executive A CLIENTS POEM When my life was in turmoil I prayed for a friend God answered my prayers And angels did send From a place filled with love Compassion and aid JAN MARCH MAY JULY SEPT NOV 180 160 140 NUMBER OF CLIENTS PER MONTH MONTHLY SESSIONS 2003 2004 2005 2006 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 APRIL - JULY05 AUG - OCT05 NOV - JAN06 FEB - MARCH06 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 CLIENTS PERIOD IN HOUSE LEGAL SOLICITOR REFERRAL INJUNCTION OBTAINED DIY INJUNCTION SUPPORT AT COURT Community Legal Service My Sisters Place gave help And I was no longer afraid I could finally see the future And it no longer looked bleak And with help from those angels I was no longer weak And, yeh life's not perfect Who would want it to be? God sent me those angels To finally set me FREE! Free from the violence The hurt and the pain The anger the hatred The pity the shame I'm free from it all No longer a disgrace And it's thanks to the angels From My Sisters Place !Thanks! BME WORK As part of the NISAA Project the University of Teesside is conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of a community based BME Worker in Middlesbrough raise awareness of domestic violence and to work with services to improve responses. This is now in the final phase. (For further information visit www.mdvf.co.uk) A Partnership has been established with Womens Support Network for a full time BME Worker to work across both agencies in Middlesbrough. DISABILITY RESEARCH Following research conducted by the University of Teesside My Sisters Place co hosted a one day conference 'Good Intentions - Disabling Realities' funded by Tees Valley Community Foundation. The conference presented research looking at the barriers faced by women with disabilities in accessing domestic violence services.We hope to take this work forward in the coming year. MULTI AGENCY APPROACH UNIVERSITY PLACEMENTS As part of our multi agency approach we support placements from the University of Teesside on vocational social work courses.This year we have taken three placements; two first year students studying joint degrees and one foundation degree social work placement. I found my placement at My Sisters Place encouraging supportive and a lovely environment. I feel I gained a lot of experience. VOLUNTEERS The day to day running of the service is heavily reliant on a small group of volunteers who also support women at court and participate in awareness raising events. I became a volunteer after a visit to the centre via University and then went on to complete the TROCN Accredited Course and Freedom Programme. I enjoy being involved in the day to day running of the service and also find it satisfying and enjoyable to be involved. I enjoy doing support at court as it is satisfying and fulfilling. Our thanks go to the volunteer team for their help and continued support. MY SISTERS PLACE UNDERGOES SCARMAN TRUST HEALTH CHECKS Funded by change up and administered by Tees Valley Community Foundation health checks were developed to encourage groups to carry out an audit on the effectiveness of their structures and were available free of charge across 12 key areas. Some of these areas included effective financial management, effective fundraising, fostering respect openness and mutual support, good record keeping and keeping to our vision and purpose as well as supporting staff and volunteers. My Sisters Place emerged as one of the highest scoring organisations surveyed. CHANGES TO THE BUILDING In February 2005 the building was re-decorated giving the Interview Rooms, Reception and Drop In a warmer feeling. In the true spirit of Community working our sincere thanks go to the Community Punishment Team for assisting in the decoration of the building. Comic Relief Tudor Trust Legal Services Commision Community Fund ACTIVITIES TRAINING This year we have developed and facilitated several training packages for a variety of Community Groups and members of the public. This has included three Open College Network courses accredited to level three from May 2005 - February 2006. We have also facilitated training to Erimus Housing frontline staff, Councillors from Middlesbrough Council, Sure Start Hemlington Volunteers, Crown Prosecution Service and various other professionals through Area Child Protection Committee Training. There has been continued high demand for the Freedom Programme and in response to this four courses have taken place from July 2005 - February 2006. We also have an IT Suite available to all learners and useful to women wishing to access the Erimus 'Choice Based Letting' Scheme via the Internet. In total training has been delivered to 237 learners from April 2005 - March 2006. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY This year we hosted two awareness raising events in support of 'International Week of Action Against Violence Against Women' and 'International Womens Day'. The first event took place in November where we held a tombola and launched the 'Violent Relationships Campaign' in James Cook Square and the second took place over a week within the Lifestore Middlesbrough from the 6th - 10th March. This event was extremely successful and raised a lot of interest in the service.We held a tombola and invited other voluntary and statutory services to participate in a weeks awareness raising. We also promote the service in a number of ways through local and national conferences and through various community initiatives and briefings. THE STAFF TEAM Back row (from left to right): Marian,Terri, Pat Front Row: Becky, Michelle, Karen, Ejaye. Northern Rock Tees Valley Delegated Grants Neighbourhood Support Fund Community Learning Chest Middlesbrough Council A special thank you to Matrix Housing for naming us a beneficiary in their closure. Thank you to Marks and Spencer's and Newlands School for their kind donations. THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS Photography and design by think random Visit www.thinkrandom.co.uk for more details. | |||