Employment

Aug

2024

New Vacancy – Asylum and Refugee Housing Support Practitioner

NEW VACANCY AT KINEARA

Asylum and Refugee Housing Support Practitioner

Salary: £ 16 per hour
Contract and term: Self-employed 12 month contract, with a 3-month probation
Hours: 35 hours per week Mon – Friday
Location: Flexible, with time split between our office and partner organisation’s office in Southwark, local community and working from home
Start date: TBC
Deadline: 31st of August 2024

Are you passionate about supporting refugees and prevent homelessness? Kineara has a new vacancy for an experienced Housing Support Worker to join our small and dedicated team in this new project supporting recent granted refugees to find accommodation.

For the full job description and application details click here: https://kineara.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Asylum-and-Refugee-Housing-Support-Worker_JD-and-Person-Spec_July-24.pdf

Jul

2024

Creativity Shines at the Better Together Community Expo

The Better Together Community Expo was more than just an event; it was a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Among the many highlights were the incredible contributions from a local hairdresser, reflexologist, student filmers, and creative artist. Here’s a closer look at their collaborative efforts and reflections on the day.

The Hairdresser’s Touch

Our local hairdresser, Kenny, brought a unique and personal touch to the Expo. Offering complimentary haircuts, Kenny not only boosted confidence but also created an opportunity for meaningful interactions.

It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces. Providing haircuts allowed me to connect with people on a personal level and offer a bit of self-care during the event.” – Kenny

Healing Through Reflexology

Louis, our skilled reflexologist, offered calming and therapeutic hand massage sessions with homemade herbal remedies that added a wellness dimension to the Expo. His services were a hit, providing much-needed relaxation and stress relief to attendees.

“I loved contributing to the community’s well-being. The Expo was a wonderful platform to introduce people to reflexology and its benefits.” – Louis

Capturing Moments: The Student Film Makers

Two talented student film makers, Renne and Kayla from Southwark College, documented the day’s activities, capturing the essence of the Expo. In the true spirit of partnership, their work will help us share the event’s impact and memories with a wider audience as well as giving them work to add to their portfolio. Check out their work below.

Creativity in Action

Giorgio, our creative artist, engaged attendees with interactive art sessions. These activities not only provided a creative outlet but also fostered a sense of connection and expression.

“Art has a way of bringing people together, and this event was a perfect example of that. Seeing participants express themselves and connect through creativity was truly rewarding.” – Giorgio

Through the Lens: The Local Photographer

Our local photographer, Julian played a crucial role in preserving the memories of the Expo. With an eye for detail, Alex captured the vibrant moments and the essence of community spirit throughout the day.

“It was a pleasure to photograph such a dynamic and positive event. Capturing the smiles, interactions, and energy of the day was incredibly rewarding.” – Julian

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kenny, Louis, our student filmers, and Giorgio for their incredible contributions. Their collaborative spirit added a unique and enriching dimension to the Better Together Community Expo, making it a memorable experience for all.

Stay tuned for more updates about future events. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected community.

Jun

2024

Better Together Event Brings Community Spirit to Life

The Better Together Community Expo, held last week at Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle, showcased the power of community collaboration and support. Organised by Kineara, the event brought together local landlords, service providers, and individuals seeking advice on housing, education, and employment opportunities, creating a vibrant and productive atmosphere.

The Expo saw a great turnout, with attendees benefiting from the collective expertise and services provided by various partners. The Skills Centre, Southwark Private Renters’ Project, Berkeley Group, Fat May’s, The Princes Trust, Southwark College, Reed in Partnership and National Energy Action were among the notable organisations offering their support. Additionally, local professionals such as hairdresser Kenny, reflexologist Louis, and artist Giorgio provided complimentary services that added a unique touch to the event. Peckham Soup Kitchen kindly prepared and served hot food funded by Berkeley Group in Mercato Metropolitano’s community kitchen, and the event was filmed by students from Southwark College.

Commenting on the event, Maria Morgan, Founder of Kineara, said

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. The sense of community spirit was truly inspiring, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to support and uplift our community.”

Our community partners were in agreement and had this to say:

“Thank you to everyone at Kineara for an incredible event that showcased an inspiring collective of individuals and local agencies making a real-time impact on communities. The commitment and enthusiasm displayed by all participants will undoubtedly enhance outcomes for the community and foster new partnerships”.

– Alex Kylen, Strategic Manager, Omnia Housing

“The event was very inspiring – it has inspired me to do more and work more with people. The name of the event really highlights truth in that as a community we are better together as I made a lot of connections and can now help more people.”

– Omoze Edeki, National Energy Action

The Expo highlighted the importance of building strong community connections and providing comprehensive support to those in need, facilitating interactions between landlords, housing groups and potential tenants as well as offering valuable advice and services in education and employment.

“I loved every minute of the event. It was very instructive. A face-to-face meeting or encounter with public service officials is always preferrable to email and Zoom meetings. I learned a great deal on the day and it was a pleasure speaking to Kineara and to others.

– Delight Amatoby, attendee

A special thanks was also given to Mercato Metropolitano for hosting the Expo in their sustainable space, which perfectly aligned with the event’s focus on community and collaboration.

As the Better Together Community Expo concludes, Kineara looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to foster connections that benefit the community. Kineara remains dedicated to providing support and resources that empower individuals and strengthen community ties.

Aug

2022

Understanding the issues facing private renters

Throughout April May and June, renters that have been supported by our services in the last year joined a team of canvassers to survey private tenants across Southwark, gathering insights into their renting situation.

Citizens Advice Southwark and the Southwark Private Renters Forum wanted to engage local private renters on the issues facing them and provide more opportunities to engage with about their rights as a tenant. For us, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to offer some paid work to renters we’ve supported on our Southwark Private Renters Project.

Led by our student social worker Aimee, and then later by a renter team leader, the team took to the streets knocking doors in Camberwell, Peckham and Elephant and Castle, handing out leaflets and putting up posters with a QR code in busy shopping areas, libraries, GP surgeries, children’s centres and more, for people to submit online

responses. Along with the rest of the Forum, who shared links to the survey on their websites and across their network, the survey received 195 responses from renters across the borough.

For our service users, the opportunity to take on some ad hoc paid work that didn’t interfere with their benefits, but that also provided extra income, was a welcome and offer. It was also a chance to increase confidence and connect to more people, in particular for those who have been out of work for some time or isolated in their community. Many of those who have taken part have been able to spend the money they earned on items for their property or contributing to their rent.

“It has been an amazing experience to be able to provide employment opportunities to residents, especially during a financial crisis. Many of those who have taken part have used their pay to buy items for their property or to help towards their rent.” – Carly Jones, Operations Manager

What did we learn?

The Private Renters Forum has been gathering the results of the survey, as well as insights gathered in several Know Your Rights sessions delivered across May. Much of the learnings we gathered reflects what our own clients have been facing over the last year. For example, many people cited they had issues with landlords not responding quickly enough to disrepair issues; the affordability crisis with very high rents putting pressure on household finances and making tenancies insecure; and stress around not being able to afford properties in their chosen area, with some being forced out of borough to find a suitable home.

The engagement work of the Private Renters Forum in Southwark will continue over the next several months, with more Know Your Rights sessions at local services and further surveys. In addition, a new website, social media channels and events will be set up to continue sharing advice about tenant’s rights.

Meanwhile, the survey is still open for responses from any Southwark-based private renters who would like to contribute to the research – you can fill in your responses here.

And the next Know your rights session is taking place on Weds 10^th August at 11.30am – 2pm at St Giles Parish Hall. It is open to any private renter in Southwark and is hosted by a housing solicitor from our partners Southwark Law Center. Find out more and register here.

Jun

2021

A focus group: Life and debt in temporary accommodation

We hear from people we’ve supported on their experiences of temporary accommodation and what councils and support services can do better.

There are currently over 250,000 people living in temporary accommodation across the UK, a figure which jumped by 6000 in the first three months of the Covid crisis. With a chronic lack of social housing and unaffordable rental prices in the private market, too many people are trapped in temporary accommodation without the means to move on.

But what is the real experience of living in temporary accommodation? Last month, we were approached by Oak Foundation and Trust for London to take part in research about the lives of people living in temporary accommodation and the kinds of support and advocacy available to them.

We hosted a focus group with 6 people we’ve supported over the last year in our housing projects, to hear about the challenges they have faced and their view on what could help them and others who are living in temporary accommodation.

And before the conversation could start, one of the common problems that we’ve supported families with cropped up: could everyone get online for the Zoom call? For Gary, the only way was to go over to a friends house and get Wifi access from there because he’d been unable to top up electricity that week. But it was important to him to join us and share his experience: “I was homeless, the Refugee Council connected me with Council support, they gave me a hotel room but I never saw the case worker, it was all over the phone. I saw a place that was all one room, I signed the contract.”

In Gary’s case, an error meant the benefit cap wasn’t taken into consideration when he signed the agreement. Unable to work and with little to live on after the rent is paid, day to day life is a struggle. “Now I’m living on £200 for a month. I didn’t know how I’m going to live, I can’t top up electric, it is very complicated for me and very traumatizing.”

When you’re suffering from mental health, its difficult – its like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together in the dark.

Our other participants could relate to the stress caused by the mismatch in benefits and high rent prices, even in TA. When Ajay got his temporary accommodation, he set up a direct debit to cover the utilities and believed his housing benefit would cover the rent. He explains, “I’m going about doing as I should, then 10 months after I was told I was going to be evicted because I hadn’t paid the rent and I’d got into all this debt. I didn’t even know. If it wasn’t for Kineara I don’t know what would happen.”

For Rick, it took two years to get his housing benefit and was moved twice in that time. The housing he was moved to didn’t feel safe, and he wasn’t sleeping due to the stress. It was also hard to get the right information at the right time from council services, saying “They often they tell you ‘I’ll get back to you, I have to check.’ Once I travelled in to the office only to be told to write in.”

Angel, who works part time and whose son is a full time student, had similar frustrations: “They told me ‘Don’t worry, housing benefit will cover it, just make an application’. The arrears kept going up and up. Its frustrating. They need to communicate better – its currently very poor.” Another added, “It seems that different Council offices have different systems to manage who is coming in, one team doesn’t speak to the other.”

So what did the group think could be improved to better support people through and out of temporary accommodation? Many of them described feeling like they weren’t cared about, even feeling like a burden on society. “Then you fall through the cracks and enter world of desperation due to mental relapses, and then you become more of a burden.”

They also wanted to see council services be considerate to the multiple barriers and hardships that they experience, because when they don’t, it feels like they’re being set up to fail. “And you need that when you’re suffering from mental health, because its difficult – its like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together in the dark.”

For others, the most important thing was also the most simple – to have someone by their side, listening to what they were going through and advocating for them through crisis. “Big thanks for Carly, because I [felt] abandoned but Carly started fighting for my case. She’s been helping me get set up, like with Council Tax which I didn’t know about.”

As we wrapped up our conversation, it was clear that the opportunity to meet and share stories had been important to everyone. “So much of my experience has been reflected today… its been useful because you feel alone.”

This focus group was hosted on behalf of Oak Foundation and Trust for London’s ongoing research project exploring advocacy and support in temporary accommodation. To find out more about the project, contact leila@leilabaker.net and ugo@trustforlondon.org.uk.

*Names have been changed for privacy purposes

Apr

2020

Relief and support during Covid-19: A list of links and resources

We’ve put together a list of webpages and resources where people can find up-to-date information and support while the UK is tackling the Coronavirus crisis. In particular, these links are for those people who may be living in precarious situations, facing financial hardship, housing insecurity, or mental health concerns. Follow the links below to find information on managing bills, dealing with landlords, and more.

We have also included resources for groups who may be at a higher risk of either illness or who are likely to become vulnerable during the lockdown period, which you can find below.

Last updated 31.01.21

Links to Government Covid-19 relief measures

The Government has issued a list of what it considered key workers at this time and therefore who has school eligibility at this time: Guidance for schools and education providers.

The Government’s full guidance for tenants, landlords, housing providers and local authorities can be found here. The current measures mean no-one (including private renters, social renters, property guardians, and people in TA) will face eviction for three months, and LHA rates have been increased to cover 30% of rent.

Turn2Us has a regularly updated webpage with guidance on all the new and existing benefits. This page also includes a benefits calculator and a list of grants available for people in financial hardship.

StepChange, the debt charity, also has advice about how to manage bills and debts during this time, with advice about what creditors and utility companies may do to help individuals unable to pay.

The government has promised that utility companies will not be allowed to disconnect credit meters at this time, and customers in financial distress will be supported by their energy company to look at options for reducing payments or debts. This link also includes advice for people with pre-pay meters, and a list of utility company helplines.

Several mobile and internet providers including Vodaphone, EE and O2 have agreed to protect vulnerable customers by removing broadband data caps, providing support to those who cannot meet their bills, and offer affordable packages.

And here is information about how parents and carers can access supermarket vouchers for children eligible for free school meals.

Guidance and support for specific groups

Renters

Measures to protect private renters were revised over the last week and may still change again, but for now Generation Rent has gathered the latest Government support packages that are available, and how to access them.

Shelter has regularly updated guidance for both renters and home owners about their rights and benefits during this time.

But there are calls for more to be done, and London Renters Union are calling for rent suspensions, in line with the mortgage holidays offered to homeowners. They also have drafted a template letter renters can use to negotiate rent holidays or decreases with their landlord.

Advice4Renters provides free or low-cost legal advice and representation from expert housing specialists.

Shelter’s free housing advice helpline 0808 800 4444 is open 8am-8pm on weekdays and 8am-5pm on weekends, 365 days a year.

BME groups

The Race Equality Foundation has guidance on how Covid-19 may impact black and minority ethnic people. While BME groups generally have a younger average age, risk factors like heart disease and diabetes are higher in African/Caribbean and South Asian groups. BME people are also more likely to be in key worker occupations and more likely to live in overcrowded conditions than white British people, and therefore potentially at higher risk of exposure to infection.

The Ubele Initiative have a dedicated Covid-19 support and resource page for BAME communities .You can also read Kineara’s case study with Ubele Initiative.

The GMCVO has put together this useful webpage of information, sources of support and resources for BAME communities.

The Indigo Trust has listed a number of organisations that it has funded to continue providing essential support to BME groups during Covid-19. You can read more about them and access further links here.

Doctors of The World  have published Covid-19 guidance for patients in a number of languages. The guidance is based on the government’s advice and health information and was produced in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice. 

Askdoc have produced short videos translating NHS England Covid-19 advice in various languages. 

South Asian Health Foundation have a range of resources and links about Coronavirus in South Asian languages.

Europia is also working with Doctors of the World, providing them with translations of COVID-19 NHS Guidance into Bulgarian, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian and Lithuanian. 

Public Health England have information for migrants translated into different languages available to download.

The BAME Stream is offering FREE culturally appropriate bereavement support and is now taking referrals.

Victims of domestic abuse

Solace Women’s Aid, the Public interest Law Centre, and other specialist VAWG groups are concerned we will see a surge in violence in the home, as victims of abuse are unable to leave the home. They are calling for urgent action for domestic violence survivors during the lockdown, with a letter to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. They are also calling for refuges to receive ring fenced Coronavirus funding.

Solace Women’s Aid also offers a hub of resources for DV victims and survivors including free Covid-19 webinars and lists of safety measures if you are in an abusive relationship during Covid-19.

The government has launched the Ask for Ani (Action Needed Immediately) codeword scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police or other support services, from the safety of their local shop, or pharmacy.

Safe Lives has a useful webpage for victims of domestic abuse. This includes a guide for staying safe during COVID-19, specialist joint-guidance for DV survivors

Surviving Economic Abuse offers helpful resources for survivors whilst self-isolating, as well as practical issues including benefits. There is also useful information for professionals working with victims and survivors of economic abuse.

The Women and Girls Network offers a range of online resources covering mental health and wellbeing, educational tools and translations.

Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) has information about your rights and options, including legal help and help with housing.

Women’s Aid is continuing to provide the Survivors’ Forum, an online resource for survivors of domestic abuse which can be accessed 24/7; live chat and email service.

Asylum seekers and refugees

The Home Office has pledged to stop evicting asylum seekers from government accommodation for a period of three months once their claim or appeal is decided. A decision will be made on Friday 3rd April about whether to suspend No Recourse to Public Funds policy.

Here is useful advice for supporting migrants and asylum seekers during the crisis, with additional helplines. And here is a petition calling for people being held in immigration detention to be released so they can have proper access to healthcare.

The Red Cross has put together a webpage with various support for refugees, asylum seekers or vulnerable migrants.

Women for Refugee Women are supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women during the pandemic, from women who been made homeless during the pandemic to women who do not have the money to feed their children. You can find out more and donate to their appeal here.

The Refugee Council, who has been calling on the government to protect people seeking asylum and refugees at risk, has a regularly updated webpage on ‘Changes to Asylum & Resettlement policy and practice in response to Covid-19’ 

Joint letter on protecting migrants from COVID-19: Asylum Matters, Liberty, Medact and others have signed a joint letter to the Home Secretary calling for specific measures to protect migrants and the general population from COVID-19. This includes calls for the suspension of all NHS charging and data-sharing for the purposes of immigration enforcement and the suspension of the ‘no recourse to public funds’ conditions to ensure everyone can access support. You can read the letter and add your name here.

Right to Remain has a regularly updated webpage on the Changes to the asylum and immigration processes due to Covid-19. You can find other resources for migrants and their advocates on the Migrant Information Hub.

Training 19/01/2021 (multiple dates): Trauma informed training on Housing Rights for Refugee and Migrant Women delivered by Baobab Women’s Project. The sessions will cover trauma-informed care, developing effective support services, migration and human rights, and housing. 

Training 27/01/2021, 18:00 – 20:00 GMT: Refugee Mental Health Training exploring psychosocial challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, experiences of depression and intergenerational trauma. The session is psychiatry trainee and diasporic medical student who will be drawing on their own personal experiences. 

Children in temporary accommodation

The Lancet has written a short comment about how children in temporary accommodation are at high risk of exposure to Covid-19 and potential direct and indirect health impacts of isolating in overcrowded, shared or confined spaces.

Disabled people

Scope has lots of information for disabled people about support that is available at this time. And here is guidance for tackling isolation during a time of ‘physical distancing’ to keep us socially connected, from AbilityNet, a charity that aims to ensure IT is available to everyone regardless of ability, including older and disabled people.

Concerns have been raised by disabled rights organisations that emergency changes to the Care Act means that local authorities could suspend their duties and refuse people assessments and care.

Groups with accessibility needs

Translated audio guidance on COVID-19 has been updated by Doctors of the World.

People with mental illness

Rethink Mental Illness has put together questions and answers for people living with mental illness and those who care for them, including prescriptions and carer visits. The government also made emergency changes to the Mental Health Act last week, causing some concern that increased government powers will make it easier for people to be detained.

Rethink Mental Ilness has also produced this guidance on the Covid-19 vaccine for people living with mental health. Under current proposals, people diagnosed and livinlg with severe mental illness are classed as a priority group to receive the vaccine.

Mind has put together a webpage of information and tips to help you cope while the UK is tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. You can also call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 to take about mental health and where to get help near you.

Local Covid-19 mutual aid groups

Bexley

Bexley Borough Covid-19 Mutual Aid Group (Facebook group)

Covid 19 – Mutual Aid Bexley Support & Inspiration (Facebook group)

Isolation Help Bexley

Hackney

Hackney Covid 19 Mutual Aid (Facebook group)

The Boiler House N16

Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets Covid 19 Community Support (Facebook group)

Stepney Green mutual aid group (WhatsApp group)

Limehouse Aid (WhatsApp group)

Search for a mutual aid group in your area or for a friend in need: Covid Mutual Aid UK

Mar

2020

Kineara’s response to coronavirus closures

23 March 2020

Last week the UK Government made the decision to shut down schools as the country continues to address the coronavirus spread throughout the UK. This was in addition to several other Government measures to increase social distancing and offer some relief to people effected by the virus.

At this time, our priority concern is for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and the people we work with, many of whom are being particularly impacted by the virus and its broader consequences. For families who are already in precarious housing, on low incomes, living in overcrowded homes or with children with complex needs, the coming months will be particularly challenging.

We are thankful that at this time we are able to temporarily sustain our services, despite having to reduce the level of support we can offer. Whilst the schools are closed, and social distancing is being advised, we won’t be able to run sessions or make visits to our clients in the way we usually would.

But, we are doing what we can to overcome the disruption and continue to provide the best support we can over the phone, via calls and video chat. We have been speaking with our school and housing partners to make arrangements about how we can provide school-home services and housing support going forward. We also are connecting with local voluntary services so that we can make sure people have access to essential support through this time. We hope that, with enough planning, we can continue to support you in meaningful ways, including support for the impact of the coronavirus. We’ll continue to review our work as we go forward.

We are also preparing a list useful links of local services, mutual aid groups, and community support for our website in coming days, so that anyone who we have worked with now or in the past can find out what is on offer in their area.

The families and households we are currently working with will be, if they have not been already, contacted by their practitioner in the coming days to make ongoing arrangements.

We know that for many people this will be a stressful and worrying moment. At Kineara, we are always focused on how best to support people through challenging times – and for the next few weeks, we know many people in London and the UK will face many challenges. We will do the best we can to help you through it.

The Kineara Team

Apr

2019

How housing affects our health

Rujia first visited Kerri in her home last October, when she arranged to meet her family to talk about how she could support Kerri into work. Kerri’s landlord had referred her to Kineara’s intensive employment support programme as she had been out of work since suffering a stroke in 2006. With 3 children and unable to work, she struggled to cover costs for the family.

When Rujia entered the flat, though, it was not Kerri who greeted her first. Instead, the first thing that she noticed was the thick, stale and acrid smell of mould and damp that had filled the air inside the small two bedroom flat.

For several months, mould had been growing on the bathroom wall and had begun creeping through the shared walls with the children’s bedroom. Fungus had started to form in the corners, leaving the air thick and making it difficult to breathe. In the living room, cracks in the walls meant that water streamed down the paint onto the carpet, leaving the whole room cold, damp and unliveable. And yet, living with these conditions was, Kerri believed, the only option.

How our home affects our health

Since Kineara began delivering housing support services, we’ve witnessed housing conditions facing many social and private tenants that were simply unfit for habitation. Damp and mould are common problems in older housing where ventilation is poor, and the issue is particularly prevalent in the private sector where a third of properties do not meet basic health and safety standards. The standard covers more than damp and mould however, and includes issues of warmth and structural safety, infestations, having the right facilities and overcrowding.

For families living in the most deprived neighbourhoods, poor quality housing is taking its toll on both physical and mental health. The National Housing Federation estimates that the health effects of poor housing is costing up to £2 billion per year in treatment. Poor conditions can lead to a host of health concerns, from asthma, wheezing, headaches and respiratory illness caused by damp and mould, to tuberculosis and meningitis which spread far more easily in overcrowded conditions. Hazards, fire and accidents are also more common in poorly built and maintained homes, and are more likely to happen in more deprived neighbourhoods. Poor housing can impact long term health too, increasing the risk of long term illness or disability by 25% during childhood.

Mental health and housing insecurity

It is not just the conditions of a home, however, that can have a negative impact on a person’s health. Housing insecurity, risks of homelessness and evictions, or unaffordable housing costs have all been shown to impact mental health in acute ways, especially when we consider how housing connects to a person or family’s financial stability. In the UK, an additional 3.1 million people are in poverty once housing costs have been paid, with one million of those being in London. In the private rented sector, 18% of tenants are in poverty before housing costs are paid; this figure increases to 38% once housing costs are paid. In part this is because rental prices have risen far more quickly and far higher than wages. In over half on English districts, rents reach a third of local average full time pay; this increased to more than half average full time pay In London. And when you are living in the midst of the stress caused by poverty, it is much more of a challenge to make healthy choices and get access to adequate healthcare. High housing costs can also prevent families from meeting their basic needs, such as energy bills or buying enough and healthy food, which in turn worsens ill health.

Lastly, there is also an important connection between mental health and debt, such as rent arrears. Shelter’s 2017 nationwide survey found that 1 in 5 adults have suffered mental health issues (depression, anxiety, stress, sleeping problems) in the last 5 years due to housing problems, many of whom sought support from local GPs. In this study, the most frequently cited reason for mental ill health was lack of affordability.

Prioritising a healthy home

For Rujia, it was immediately clear that to support Kerri back into to work that was not only suitable for her time and capacity as a mother and build her aspirations, but that the damp and mould in her home were cleaned up as a matter of urgency. Rujia raised the issue with Kerri’s landlord, Southern Housing Group, advocating for repairs to be taken out in the flat. The family have been moved into temporary accommodation while the work takes place. She made sure that Kerri and her children were all registered with the local GP. For Kerri, it was the first step in making sure that her and her family’s health and wellbeing was a priority.

Our housing support

At Kineara, all our support services include housing support. We offer advice, guidance, and advocacy for all families and individuals we work with on matters of housing, including rent arrears, eviction threats, conditions in the home and more. We know that for anyone to lead a happy, healthy life, having a secure home to rest your head and spend time with family and loved ones, it is the most important thing.

To find out more about our housing support, contact us or read more about how we have supported others.

Sep

2016

Kineara begins a new integrated rent and employment support programme

We are really excited to have begun a new programme this summer, with an ambitious aim to support 80 people into employment over the next two years.

The new Intensive Employment Support Programme has been developed alongside Tower Hamlets Family Intervention Project across the borough, and combines Kineara’s flagship Rent Support Programme to create a unique model designed that integrates rent support and employment support into one.

We have already begun working with several residents of Poplar Harca Housing Association, with other housing associations already expressing interest running the service alongside their existing employment support work.

Our Rent Support Programme has already been successful in preventing evictions for families whose rent arrears had led them to the brink of eviction proceedings, with 97% of residents who completed the programme remaining in their homes after the intensive 10 week intervention.

Many of those families were among the thousands in Tower Hamlets who have faced unemployment and the precariousness it causes. These challenges have also recently been intensified by the benefit cap reductions and extended welfare reform. We have been able to secure training or employment for nearly half of the residents we’ve worked with, which has had a huge impact whether they are able to keep a secure tenancy.

We’re excited to bring our expertise to a context we know well. We’ll be able to connect residents with all kinds of useful services already available in the borough but that some people face barriers engaging with, like job broker Skills Match, Workforce Development, Bromley by Bow, as well as employment bodies linked to the Family Intervention Service and the local community.

As always, a dedicated support worker will work intensively with jobseekers using the same holistic approach that guides all our work, making sure that their overall wellbeing is taken into account. This might mean making sure therapeutic support is available, or skills training, or access to proper healthcare, so that people are able to secure work that is not only stable but also suited to them and their needs.

This project contributes to a new borough wide strategy to tackle unemployment, which includes training and support for local people to find job opportunities in the borough – as well as supporting businesses to create quality and well paid jobs locally – as one of its top employment priorities for 2016-17. This is important for another of its priorities, which is to ensure local low-income residents can access decent housing in the borough, which is becoming increasingly expensive and threatens to price out local residents.

Nov

2015

Kineara wins bid to bring intensive approach to job seekers

We are very excited to announce that we’ll be starting a new project in the new year, having been awarded funding to carry out an Intensive Employment Support Programme across Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

Taking place over 13-weeks, we’ll work with 34 individuals throughout the year to provide one-on-one tailored support for those who have been unemployed long term or have other hidden barriers that have prevented them from finding work. Practitioners will provide therapeutic support where necessary, and aim to address surrounding issues by providing practical, hands on support.

For us, it was important to create a programme that balanced job searches, interview preparation, skills development and building networks of employment support with our holistic approach that understands how different issues converge to impact each individual’s life. It is this ethos that we believe will make a real difference for those we work with, not only in finding work, but in finding stability and support in all areas of life.

Asylum and Refugee Housing Support Practitioner

What did we learn?

When Rujia entered the flat, though, it was not Kerri who greeted her first. Instead, the first thing that she noticed was the thick, stale and acrid smell of mould and damp that had filled the air inside the small two bedroom flat.

How our home affects our health

Mental health and housing insecurity

Prioritising a healthy home

Our housing support

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