Anti-social behaviour in one area of Torfean has reduced significantly thanks to an innovative incentive scheme introduced by a hostel for homeless young people in the area.
Hales House in Pontypool provides housing and support to young homeless people in the area and, following complaints from local residents about anti-social behaviour in the area, staff took action.
Staff at the hostel, which is run by Solas, part of the Seren Group, created an incentive system, the H2H Project, to engage young people and provide positive activities to raise motivation and self esteem. Due to the success of the project, there have been no further complaints of anti-social behaviour made in recent months.
The project includes specially designed workshops and activities in three stages, with bronze, silver and gold awards. Participants are rewarded with household goods and activities, such as trips to the beach, as they progress through the programme.
Practical activities such as designing and assigning costs to virtual homes are used to help participants prepare to move into their own properties. Tangible rewards include toasters, kettles and pamper nights which are used as incentives. Workshops cover topics relating to everything from sexual health and safer relationships to tenancy issues and money matters and are designed to teach key skills needed in order to break cycles of homelessness.
Mark Lloyd, 18, is the first resident to complete the project and will be moving into his own accommodation in the coming weeks. Mark is now acting as an ambassador for the project and is also volunteering with other organisations in order to improve his future employment prospects.
Mark said: “I had lost my way a little and was getting in trouble a lot before I was encouraged to sign up for the project. It has really helped me to become more confident and I have been able to show what I am capable of achieving. I’m moving into my own home soon and am hoping to get a work placement – so things are really looking up for me.”
Jo Powell, Project Worker at Hales House, said: “Mark is testament to the success of H2H. He has had a complete turnaround during the time he has been involved in the programme and is now trying to encourage others to do the same.
“Everyone has pulled together to provide a comprehensive programme of support to residents at the hostel and disruption to the community has fallen significantly. It has been a great success and is now being rolled out across other areas, so we are really pleased.”
The project is part-funded by Community Safety First and run in association with drug rehabilitation organisations The Lighthouse Project, Fusion and the Young People Specialist Substance Misuse Service. Additional support and training is provided by Bron Afon community housing service.
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