Street Connect

Background

Street Connect exists to reach out to and support disadvantaged individuals in their recovery from life-controlling issues, primarily drug and alcohol addiction, and associated problems around homelessness and poor mental health. Over the past 6 years Street Connect has developed a range of high-quality, personalised services delivered by committed staff and volunteers, many of whom, including at management level, have lived experience of recovery from life-controlling issues such as homelessness and addiction.

Their work is not just focused on essential short-term relief like food and shelter but seeks to offer long-term transformational change in the lives of individuals. They offer street outreach, drop-in cafes, one-to-one support, group recovery programme, rehabilitation referrals, and after-care support.

Read more about Street Connect here

Funding was provided by Auchrobert Wind Farm Community Fund which supports community projects benefitting those living in Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill and Boghead.  The Community Fund is provided by Renantis, the owners of Auchrobert Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire. 

The fund provides grants to support a wide range of community activity and development and grants may support a wide range of costs, for example, the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and more.

Read more about the fund here

More about this funding

This grant went towards salaries for an administrator and an outreach/support worker for the period of 2021. The project reaches out to and supports local people affected by drug/ alcohol addiction, homelessness (or risk of homelessness), poor mental health, and other related issues. The project was delivered in partnership with Hope Church.

The Outreach/Support worker, alongside the Women's Support Worker, took the lead in delivering the project, supported by a team of 13 enthusiastic and committed volunteers who were part of Hope Church. 

In terms of project activities, street outreach work and one-to-one support were delivered throughout the year on a weekly basis. Recovery group sessions were offered remotely via Zoom, open to participants from any of their locations. Group programmes enable people to explore recovery issues and pathways, in a supportive environment, together with peers and trained staff and volunteers. Rehab referrals were also on offer for suitable participants. 

Due to Covid and lockdown restrictions, the drop-in could not be re-opened till November 2021. As the community centre was no longer available to book, it re-opened in the church building in a newly renovated space containing a pool table, table tennis and board games, providing an excellent setting in which to build relationships and initiate support. Between November 2021 and June 2022, the drop-in had a footfall of 71.

Some facts and figures

• During 2021, the project had 187 interactions through Street Outreach work around Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill. 
• 40 people who linked in through the Blackwood/Kirkmuirhill project received one-to-one support from one of their workers. 
• 39 participants had "significant conversations", where personalised, informal support and advice were provided to a person in line with their unique needs and situation. 
• 6 people engaged in formal Key Work sessions, which enable more in-depth discussion around a person's needs as well as recovery planning with one of their experienced staff members. 
• 2 participants from Blackwood attended Recovery Group sessions. 

Impact

The work of Street Connect has been instrumental in supporting disadvantaged individuals in their recovery from life-controlling issues. Their range of high quality, personalised services delivered by committed staff and volunteers not only focused on short term relief but sought to offer long-term transformational change in the lives of individuals.
There were a number of positive stories of progress being made in participants' lives during this funding period. These provide practical examples of the varied ways that the project supported people, in line with their specific needs and recovery goals. 

One participant was supported to successfully enter a residential rehabilitation programme. This can often be a fairly long, challenging process and a number of barriers can crop up, so this was a real success. 

Another male participant was supported to arrange and begin a Valium detox programme, in line with his particular recovery needs. One of the project support workers was also able to begin building a relationship with a participant who had  been known to the project for a significant length of time but had previously been very quiet and not willing to open up. With the right support, he then began engaging with the support worker, clearly demonstrating the value of committing and showing up for people long-term, knowing that barriers can take a while to be broken down.

With the support of the Renantis Auchrobert Wind Farm Community Fund, Street Connect were able to continue this meaningful work.  The positive feedback from participants highlighted the impact of their work in reducing loneliness, providing support and improving social lives.  

• 95% said attending drop-in sessions helped reduced their loneliness and isolation. 
• 95% said they received the support they need at the drop-in. 
• 90% said the drop-in helped improve their social life.

Further Funding

Street Connect received further support from the Renantis Auchrobert Windfarm Fund, enabling them to deliver their work in the fund area between December 2022 and June 2022. 

The organisation once again worked in partnership with Hope Church and with the support of 5 local volunteers. The organisation reached out in both areas, visiting popular cafes, shops and local streets, and leaving leaflets in places like the chemist, the local convenience shop and the doctors surgery, among others. They also travelled further afield to conduct outreach work in Lesmahagow. 

The project had 82 street engagements over these 7 months, in addition to giving general support to 14 individuals. During this time, 5 men and 2 women took part in key-work towards recovery. In total the project worked closely with 17 people during this 7-month period.  

Street Connect said: “We are very grateful to the Renantis Auchrobert Windfarm for its financial support over that period, facilitated through Foundation Scotland. It has been a real game changer, allowing us to send experienced support workers to work alongside volunteers from the local church, enabling them to reach out to and support people in need in their community.”