Our work
To further our mission of helping homeless people to change their lives, the House of St Barnabas is planning to launch a health forum providing access to vital medical and social services through innovative programmes for London's homeless and vulnerable people.
In a successful pilot project from October 2006 through January 2008, the House of St Barnabas teamed up with Beyond Boyle, a social enterprise specialising in "bringing people together over food" to offer training and qualifications to disadvantaged and homeless people.
The social enterprise Volunteer Programme combined personal development and life skills support alongside vocational training and work experience. Beyond Boyle, a socially responsible dining and events company, worked with the House to provide London's homeless people with the skills and confidence to further their development in life.
From cooking to serving and organising events, volunteers gained on-the-job experience as assistants in the kitchen, front of house and back of house. Some volunteers combined training with National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) in Catering and Hospitality to gain a recognised qualification.
Support was provided by Martin Murphy, life skills manager, who has six years' experience in helping homeless people back into work, education or training. Most of our 'graduates' have gone on to mainstream education or employment - a testimony to the success of the pilot programme with Beyond Boyle.
Who we help
The following case studies provide a glimpse into the lives of some of the people who benefited from our Volunteer Programme with Beyond Boyle. (Volunteers' names have been changed to protect their privacy.)
CharlesCharles was his parent's main carer for almost half of his life. When his father, and then his mother, eventually passed away, Charles suffered from depression and nerves. He lost possession of the only home he had ever known.
After four years of staying with friends and sleeping rough, he finally found help and accommodation at a Thamesreach housing project where he still resides.
Joining our volunteer programme in January, Charles has gained much-needed confidence. He feels much better prepared for employment and is actively seeking work. Hard-working and reliable, he just needed the chance we were able to give him.
SefuSefu's trauma began in 1991 in his native Somalia when bombing killed his father, and his mother died of her injuries six months later. He then ran a successful restaurant with his immediate family for seven years when his brother was stabbed to death before his eyes for refusing to hand money over to local militia.
Fearing for the lives of his children, Sefu sent them to live with family in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. He fled to London in 1999 after further threats.
Sefu is now living in social housing after sleeping rough for some time. The House of St Barnabas arranged a work placement with Beyond Boyle for Sefu to help him find permanent employment.
He was granted UK citizenship in July and is very proud to be British. Until then, he was not able to leave the UK for fear of being refused re-entry so he hasn't seen his children for nine long years.
His dream to see his children will soon come true. Trustees at the House of St Barnabas along with corporate sponsors the Berkeley Partnership raised the money for a bursary that will mean Sefu is finally reunited with his family.
RobertRobert left Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean in 2003 where he was feeling fed up with life and the lack of opportunities to advance. He felt he was being exploited by his employer of 10 years. In a desperate measure, he used all of his savings and caught a flight to London.
His expectations of finding an agency that would find him work and accommodation upon arrival were dashed. He was alone in London with no friends or family and a few dollars in his pocket.
That began a period of rough sleeping, which lasted about three months. At one point it was so cold that he even slept in a telephone box. He was finally able to move into his own accommodation in 2005.
Four years since his arrival in London, Robert is starting to look to the future. With help from the House of St Barnabas he found a new direction in his career. He is now working towards achieving an NVQ in administration at college and has recently been assisted by the charity in finding a two-day work placement in his field.
Network 2012
Network 2012 is a social enterprise with a 'social inclusion' agenda. Set up in September 2007, it encourages the growth of social enterprise by providing bursaries raised through membership fees.
Many bursaries go towards start-up social enterprises in traditionally disadvantaged groups, helping them to harness creativity and entrepreneurial talent.
The founding partners of Network 2012 have worked for many charities in the homeless sector. They understand the frustrations that charities face in having repeatedly to go cap in hand to funding bodies.
The vision of Network 2012 is to see the needs of different communities met by the communities themselves and the businesses they create and manage.
Partners with the House of St Barnabas, and having their London headquarters at the House, Network 2012 is your business and social networking site for the 21st century. For further details see http://www.network2012.net
Psychotherapy
Susan O'Sullivan (MA PGDipPsych MBACP) is our resident psychotherapist helping volunteers and staff with any issues they may find overwhelming. Susan has worked with the charity SANE helping those affected by mental health issues and Aricas helping couples in abusive relationships. Susan's private practice is also based at the House and more details can be found at http://www.susanosullivan.co.uk
