About Northlands

Northlands is a 26 bed Centre for men and women, comprising of 17 single furnished rooms on a part board basis and nine self catering training flats ( 4 of which are reserved for 16-17 year olds).

We are committed to providing a high quality support service as part of Cardiff’s plan to reduce homelessness.

Our overall aim is to support clients to achieve successful and sustainable resettlement into appropriate accommodation. As a resettlement unit we look for an individual to be committed to the objective of resettlement and seeking change in their life.

In order for resettlement to be successful and sustainable, clients need to be ready and equipped to move-on. To this end our core programme is designed towards supporting clients to address any support needs and to acquire and develop skills necessary for independent living.

Keywork
Staff are available 24 hours a day to support clients, encouraging them to make decisions about their life and work towards achieving solutions to their housing and support needs.

Each client is allocated a project worker who acts as a keyworker to support the client on a one-to-one basis.

A Personal Development Plan is designed with each individual based on their assessed needs, addressing areas such as health, substance addictions, education and training skills, literacy and numeracy, leisure activities, employment and also social skills. This plan reflects the client’s wishes and hopes and identifies goals for the client to work towards. We support clients to access appropriate external agencies where required.

Resettlement
Northlands aims to work towards supporting clients to be better equipped to manage a home and live in a community. We run a 12 week Resettlement programme which supports clients to acquire independent living skills such as cooking, budgeting, cleaning, household maintenance and maintaining a tenancy.

Our resettlement training flats are a vital part of the programme, giving service users the opportunity to put their independent living skills into practice in a supportive environment.

Education, training and employment
Clients are supported and encouraged to develop their skills, gain qualifications and find employment. As well as in house training sessions, clients are supported to access external training courses and some attend local colleges within the community. Last year several residents also participated in Business in the Community programme gaining valuable work experience. Other clients have taken up volunteering opportunities.

Leisure activities
Leisure activities are seen as a beneficial way of preparing clients for independent living. At Northlands residents are offered the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as textile and art classes, computer sessions, drum playing, swimming, snooker, table tennis, cooking, gardening, football and gym sessions. The aim of these activities is to motivate residents to build their self confidence and self esteem, to develop skills, and to give them a real sense of achievement. Residents have found these activities prevent boredom, and can help in occupying time and minds away from using drugs or alcohol. Activities can also help towards alleviating depression, assisting clients to relax and sleep better, as well as relieving stress and generally helping to promote healthy active lifestyles.

These activities encourage clients to mix and interact with others and to make friends whilst becoming more comfortable with participating in the wider community. It is hoped that they will continue these activities when they have been resettled which may help to prevent the feeling of isolation which often presents when first resettled.

Move on opportunities
All clients are supported to seek appropriate and sustainable accommodation to move on from Northlands as and when appropriate. Project workers support clients to identify the best available option for re-housing according to the individuals need. Moving into independent accommodation can be an unsettling and stressful time however clients are supported throughout and those who will continue to require support when they move on are encouraged to gain further support from a tenant support worker. A referral is made to the Salvation Army’s Tenant Support Team.