PHASE 2 – HOSTELS
HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION
All of our hostels are founded on, and driven by, a Christian ethos, yet we welcome applications from, and will consider, all clients, regardless of their religious beliefs, as long as they meet the relevant hostel criteria.
HOPE HOUSE
The first two weeks can prove ‘Make or Break’ for someone just out of prison as it is a turbulent passage adjusting to the outside world. An ex-offender needs a good foundation of trust and understanding in these early stages.
Stepping Stones Trust provides this type of support through Hope House for ex-offenders with a Croydon connection and referred via the Croydon SNAP Team. We link ex-offenders to trained keyworkers who offer a stable and strong foundation of support during this transitional time in the men’s lives. We desire for the men at Hope House to learn the balance between rules and freedom in a safe environment, which takes time, patience and perseverance.
The men at Hope House stay in the hostel four to six months learning financial responsibility, participating in the REFA Plus (Relationships, Employment, Finance, Accommodation + Life Recovery) and receiving keyworking support on a weekly basis. The aim of REFA Plus is to provide ‘whole person’ support for ex-offenders and others who seek help to break from destructive life styles and to help prepare them for a purposeful future.
Residents participate in this rolling programme three mornings a week for eight weeks discussing practical topics such as relationships, employment, finance and accommodation. Psychological and spiritual subjects include compulsive and addictive behaviour, temptations and relapse prevention, dealing with hurts, decision making and achieving goals, self image, twelve step programmes, reconciliation and forgiveness and honesty as a lifestyle. The residents focus 1 day a week on the practical subjects and 2 days on the psychological and spiritual aspects of the recovery. REFA Plus also offers an optional Freedom in Christ programme that has a strong focus of developing an individual spiritually in order for practical changes to occur. Topics that are discussed include choosing to believe the truth, the world, the flesh and the devil, demolishing strongholds and growing as disciples.
Following a successful stay at Hope House, residents are offered move-on accommodation in one of our Phase 3 shared flats or houses.
To hear what the residents of Hope House say please click here.
For full details on how to apply please follow this link to the Become a Resident page.
BRIDGE HOUSE
‘Welder, bus-driver, youthworker, priest’ (just some of those we have been privileged to welcome recently into Bridge House’s extended family). Most of our residents have held responsible jobs, been active members of their families and part of a social network. All these were forfeit at conviction for sex offences. Lengthy sentences, intensive treatment and segregation followed and then, finally, release. Yet all is changed. Euphoria is followed by the realisation their futures are now uncertain. Society no longer wants them so even finding somewhere to go is difficult. Quite rightly they will be supervised and monitored, risk assessed and the public protected – but what of each man himself? From a safe base at Bridge House, each man is supported and encouraged to make tentative steps forward in painstakingly building a different life, one free of offending.
The house was set up in 1993 to provide men who are former sex offenders with support and accommodation. We recognise that positive, stable housing with support is likely to reduce the risk of re-offending and to promote overall community safety. It is often necessary for sex offenders to seek accommodation in areas other than their “home” districts, both by the nature of their crime and for the protection of their victims. We are able to accommodate 5 men in individual bedrooms, with communal lounge, shared kitchen, bathroom and toilets. The house is not staffed 24/7 but there is a signing “in and out” book in which residents are required accurately to record their movements.
We liaise closely with relevant staff from the Public Protection Unit, Medical services, Housing offices, local resources, treatment programmes and churches. We facilitate arrangements for the residents to start to develop personal networks of support including the establishment of Circles of Support and Accountability and our working practices are complementary to those of other relevant agencies. We have sensible house rules for the safety and wellbeing of all.
Each resident has a designated keyworker with whom they meet regularly on a 1-to-1 basis to address issues vital for their safe and effective reintegration into society. In conjunction with those who have statutory supervision responsibilities, plans are made for move-on into their own accommodation at an agreed and appropriate time. We have negotiated nomination rights with our local housing authority and are also prepared to consider offering some transitional financial guarantees towards tenancies in the private sector. In order to continue to provide back up for former residents we are able to make available on-going support in the community either in person or by phone contact.
Residents from Bridge House go straight in to Phase 4 accommodation, due to their extended stay in the house.
To hear what the residents of Bridge House think please click here.
For full details on how to apply please follow this link to the Become a Resident page.