Formerly homeless Cangle Foyer tenant shortlisted for award
Thursday, 20th February 2014.
A young Haverhill tenant at a Suffolk housing association has been shortlisted for an award that celebrates the achievements of outstanding individuals across Northern, Central and Southern England.
Hazel Webb is a tenant at Riverside-ECHG’s The Cangle Foyer, which specialises in working with vulnerable young people to offer them support and training opportunities to gain independence.
Riverside offers a complete range of housing and support solutions for its young tenants throughout England, including services for teenage parents, care leavers and young offenders.
The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), a leading national tenant participation organisation working to promote tenant empowerment, has shortlisted Hazel in the Young Tenant of the Year category at the organisation’s Central Awards.
Hazel, 21, who moved into The Cangle Foyer in January 2013 after living on the streets, is one of Riverside’s resident representatives.
Through her role, she is able to put forward the views and ideas of residents to Riverside staff. She acts as a voice representing the other young people living at the Foyer.
The social housing provider works within a local network of partners to provide young people with a place to live and learn. Its services offer each client a tailored support plan by teaming up with youth opportunity organisations, youth drug and alcohol services and mental health support workers.
As part of her volunteering, Hazel also visits other Riverside supported and sheltered accommodation across the country to gain an insight on the residents’ views on how services are run on a day-to-day basis.
She works as part of a team that assesses the support offered to residents to ensure that it matches Riverside’s high standards.
Riverside is also able to offer support to its clients who move into independent living in order to give young people the skills and confidence to take control of their lives and move into part-time and full-time employment.
Despite being faced with homelessness and mental health issues herself, Hazel offers emotional support to fellow residents on health issues including sexual health and substance misuse.
More recently, Hazel has been raising money for Cancer Research UK. She is planning a sponsored head shave this month (February) and hopes to take part in a skydive alongside two other Riverside residents in Great Yarmouth this year.
Tonia Punter, Riverside tenant involvement advisor, congratulated Hazel on her shortlisting in the TPAS awards.
“All of Hazel’s hard work to help improve her own situation, as well as the lives of other residents at The Cangle Foyer, has been highlighted by her shortlisting for this nationally-recognised award.," she said.
“Hazel has made great steps forward by becoming empowered to make positive changes in her own life as well as supporting others at The Cangle Foyer.”
Studies by the Department for Education show that between July and September 2003, 17.7 per cent of young people aged 16-24 were classified as NEET - not in education, employment or training.
Riverside is working to bring down this statistic through its Skilling For Life programme, which offers apprenticeships and work opportunities, as well as giving clients access to its GOALS life-coaching programme. The social housing association also promotes tenant involvement in Riverside activities country-wide.
Hazel, who is currently enrolled on a ‘Get Into’ course with the Prince’s Trust, was instrumental in setting up Riverside’s Get Connected project, which gives young residents (aged 18-25) a space to share their views with Riverside staff as well as their peers. It is also a virtual platform where young people can access key information and resources.
Riverside has a group of employment and training officers across the UK supporting tenants to overcome barriers to securing long-term employment.
Between August 2012 and August 2013, Riverside gave employment and training advice to 4,729 residents. It helped 3,798 residents into training, 662 residents into employment and 739 residents into volunteering.
Tonia said: “Riverside offers vital information, advice and guidance for those seeking employment and training. We offer our clients the chance develop their skills and attain accredited qualifications as well as employment opportunities.
“Hazel has been tirelessly volunteering in a local Haverhill charity shop and offers support to other young people aged 12-19 in order to enhance her employability. We admire her dedication to all of the other projects she takes part in.”
The winner will be announced on Friday, March 7, at the TPAS awards ceremony in Solihull.
Hazel Webb is a tenant at Riverside-ECHG’s The Cangle Foyer, which specialises in working with vulnerable young people to offer them support and training opportunities to gain independence.
Riverside offers a complete range of housing and support solutions for its young tenants throughout England, including services for teenage parents, care leavers and young offenders.
The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), a leading national tenant participation organisation working to promote tenant empowerment, has shortlisted Hazel in the Young Tenant of the Year category at the organisation’s Central Awards.
Hazel, 21, who moved into The Cangle Foyer in January 2013 after living on the streets, is one of Riverside’s resident representatives.
Through her role, she is able to put forward the views and ideas of residents to Riverside staff. She acts as a voice representing the other young people living at the Foyer.
The social housing provider works within a local network of partners to provide young people with a place to live and learn. Its services offer each client a tailored support plan by teaming up with youth opportunity organisations, youth drug and alcohol services and mental health support workers.
As part of her volunteering, Hazel also visits other Riverside supported and sheltered accommodation across the country to gain an insight on the residents’ views on how services are run on a day-to-day basis.
She works as part of a team that assesses the support offered to residents to ensure that it matches Riverside’s high standards.
Riverside is also able to offer support to its clients who move into independent living in order to give young people the skills and confidence to take control of their lives and move into part-time and full-time employment.
Despite being faced with homelessness and mental health issues herself, Hazel offers emotional support to fellow residents on health issues including sexual health and substance misuse.
More recently, Hazel has been raising money for Cancer Research UK. She is planning a sponsored head shave this month (February) and hopes to take part in a skydive alongside two other Riverside residents in Great Yarmouth this year.
Tonia Punter, Riverside tenant involvement advisor, congratulated Hazel on her shortlisting in the TPAS awards.
“All of Hazel’s hard work to help improve her own situation, as well as the lives of other residents at The Cangle Foyer, has been highlighted by her shortlisting for this nationally-recognised award.," she said.
“Hazel has made great steps forward by becoming empowered to make positive changes in her own life as well as supporting others at The Cangle Foyer.”
Studies by the Department for Education show that between July and September 2003, 17.7 per cent of young people aged 16-24 were classified as NEET - not in education, employment or training.
Riverside is working to bring down this statistic through its Skilling For Life programme, which offers apprenticeships and work opportunities, as well as giving clients access to its GOALS life-coaching programme. The social housing association also promotes tenant involvement in Riverside activities country-wide.
Hazel, who is currently enrolled on a ‘Get Into’ course with the Prince’s Trust, was instrumental in setting up Riverside’s Get Connected project, which gives young residents (aged 18-25) a space to share their views with Riverside staff as well as their peers. It is also a virtual platform where young people can access key information and resources.
Riverside has a group of employment and training officers across the UK supporting tenants to overcome barriers to securing long-term employment.
Between August 2012 and August 2013, Riverside gave employment and training advice to 4,729 residents. It helped 3,798 residents into training, 662 residents into employment and 739 residents into volunteering.
Tonia said: “Riverside offers vital information, advice and guidance for those seeking employment and training. We offer our clients the chance develop their skills and attain accredited qualifications as well as employment opportunities.
“Hazel has been tirelessly volunteering in a local Haverhill charity shop and offers support to other young people aged 12-19 in order to enhance her employability. We admire her dedication to all of the other projects she takes part in.”
The winner will be announced on Friday, March 7, at the TPAS awards ceremony in Solihull.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)