Tucked away in the back streets of Digbeth, Birmingham, SIFA Fireside is making a significant impact on the lives of those facing homelessness. Over the past few years, this committed organisation has transformed its services to better meet the needs of people experiencing rough sleeping and other forms of homelessness. From providing vital support like food, showers, and clothing, to offering extensive assistance with housing, healthcare, and benefits, SIFA Fireside’s Homeless Intervention Team (HIT) is contributing to the effort to end homelessness.

But SIFA Fireside’s work doesn’t stop there. With a focus on creating a welcoming hub where multiple services are available under one roof, they ensure that individuals can access the help they need without the added stress of navigating the city. Their innovative approach includes a shift towards more tailored casework, ensuring that those who frequently use their services receive the long-term support they need to move forward.

In partnership with organisations like Trident, SIFA Fireside is also pioneering new initiatives to support those who are accommodated but still require ongoing assistance. Their commitment to homelessness prevention is evident in their various programmes, from the Housing Transition Service to the Exempt Accommodation Navigators, all designed to provide stability and support to those in need.

Street Support West Midlands wanted to highlight SIFA Fireside’s dedicated efforts to support Birmingham’s most vulnerable residents and combat homelessness through innovative partnerships and comprehensive programmes, so read on for more…

Homeless Intervention Team (HIT)

At the heart of SIFA Fireside’s efforts is the Homeless Intervention Team (HIT), a lifeline for individuals experiencing rough sleeping and homelessness in Birmingham. The HIT provides a welcoming Support Centre space from 9am to 1pm, where those in need can access essential services like food, showers, and clothing. But it doesn’t stop there – the team also offers crucial support with housing, healthcare, and benefits, all under one roof.

This specialised space is designed specifically for those who are experiencing rough sleeping or homelessness on the day, ensuring they receive the focused help they need. By bringing multiple services together in one place, SIFA Fireside makes it easier for individuals to get the support they need without the hassle of travelling across the city.

In the afternoons, the team handles emergency cases, ensuring that urgent needs are met promptly. SIFA Fireside is also moving towards a more personalised approach, identifying regular visitors who might benefit from long-term support and working closely with other agencies to provide comprehensive care.

The HIT’s collaborative efforts with partners like Birmingham City Council’s housing team and various healthcare providers ensure that individuals receive holistic support adapted to their unique situations. Despite the challenges, the team remains committed to improving their services and making a real difference in the lives of Birmingham’s most vulnerable residents.

Homeless Intervention Team at a glance:

• Support Centre Space: Open from 9am to 1pm for individuals experiencing rough sleeping and homelessness. Provides essential services like food, showers, clothing, housing assistance, healthcare, and benefits support.
• Specialised Focus: The space is specifically for those who are experiencing rough sleeping or homelessness on the day. Not available for individuals with accommodation or access to other support pathways.
• Hub Concept: Multiple services are available under one roof, making it easier for individuals to access the help they need without navigating different locations. Different services are available on different days, including physical health nurses and mental health provision.
• Emergency Presentations: After 1pm, any presentations are considered emergencies. The Support Centre service does not extend into the afternoon unless the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated.
• Casework Approach: SIFA Fireside is moving towards a more personalised casework approach. Identifies regular attendees who might benefit from long-term support and collaborates with other agencies to provide comprehensive care.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Works with various partners, including Birmingham City Council’s housing team and healthcare providers, to offer holistic support. Ensures that individuals receive bespoke assistance based on their unique needs.
• Challenges and Adaptations: Communicating the specialised nature of the Support Centre space has been challenging. Ongoing efforts to improve the service and ensure it meets the needs of the target population effectively.

Casework Approach at SIFA Fireside

At SIFA Fireside, the casework approach is all about providing personalised, long-term support to individuals who frequently use their services. This method ensures that those in need receive the comprehensive care and attention they deserve, helping them move towards stability and independence.

• Personalised Support

SIFA Fireside’s casework approach begins with identifying individuals who regularly attend the Support Centre. By recognising those who need more than just immediate assistance, SIFA Fireside can offer tailored support that addresses their unique circumstances. This personalised attention is crucial for helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness and achieve lasting change.

• Collaboration with Other Agencies

One of the key strengths of SIFA Fireside’s casework approach is its emphasis on collaboration. The team works closely with various agencies to ensure that individuals receive holistic support. This multi-agency collaboration helps avoid duplicating efforts and ensures that all aspects of a person’s needs are addressed. Whether it’s housing, healthcare, or benefits support, SIFA Fireside coordinates with partners to provide seamless and comprehensive care. An example of this is covered in our recent article about Vision Care for Homeless People who hold optician appointments at SIFA Fireside each Monday.

• Long-Term Focus

The casework approach at SIFA Fireside is not just about immediate relief; it’s about long-term solutions. By focusing on individuals who frequently use their services, SIFA Fireside can develop strategies that support their journey towards stability. This might involve connecting them with mental health services, helping them navigate the benefits system, or providing ongoing housing support. The goal is to empower individuals to build a more stable and secure future.

• Building Relationships

A significant part of the casework approach is building strong, trusting relationships with clients. SIFA Fireside’s team takes the time to understand each person’s story, their challenges, and their goals. This relationship-building is essential for creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood. It also helps in identifying the most effective ways to support each person, ensuring that the assistance provided is both relevant and impactful.

• Adapting to Needs

SIFA Fireside’s casework approach is flexible and adaptable, allowing the team to respond to the changing needs of their clients. Whether someone requires more intensive support during a crisis or ongoing assistance to maintain stability, SIFA Fireside adjusts their approach to meet these needs. This adaptability ensures that individuals receive the right level of support at the right time, making a significant difference in their lives.

• Success Stories

The success of SIFA Fireside’s casework approach is evident in the positive outcomes achieved by many of their clients. By providing personalised, long-term support and working collaboratively with other agencies, SIFA Fireside has helped numerous individuals move from homelessness to stability. These success stories highlight the effectiveness of the casework approach and the profound impact it can have on people’s lives.

Adult Lead Worker Service

Working in partnership with Trident, the Adult Lead Worker service provides city-wide support to adults experiencing multiple disadvantages. This service provides flexible, strengths-based advice and support to people aged 25 years and over who experience two or more of: substance abuse, poor mental health, history of repeat homelessness and offending history. These clients may also be serially excluded from services or be at risk of exclusion from mainstream services.

This is a targeted service that aims to build resilience, improve health and wellbeing and move people towards independent living at an early stage, in order to prevent or delay the need for crisis interventions.

Housing Transition Service

The Housing Transition Service at SIFA Fireside helps individuals move from homelessness into exempt accommodation. Over a short-term period of up to 12 weeks, the team provides essential support, including property checks to ensure living conditions are acceptable. By working closely with Birmingham City Council, they address any serious concerns, improving the quality of accommodation and making a real difference in people’s lives.

Exempt Accommodation Navigators

The Exempt Accommodation Navigators at SIFA Fireside play a crucial role in supporting individuals with complex needs who are living in exempt accommodation. This dedicated team of ten staff members provides long-term assistance to help residents maintain their housing and address issues such as substance misuse, mental health, and social care. By working closely with individuals and offering tailored support, the Navigators ensure that people can stabilise their lives and avoid returning to homelessness. Their efforts have led to impressive outcomes, with a significant majority of their clients successfully staying in their accommodation and making positive strides towards a more stable future.

Peer Support Team

The Peer Support Team at SIFA Fireside offers a unique and compassionate approach to supporting those who are currently experiencing rough sleeping and have accommodation offers. This team, composed of individuals with lived experience of homelessness, focuses on building meaningful relationships with clients. Rather than traditional goal-setting around housing or substance reduction, the Peer Support Team emphasises fulfilment, hobbies, and socialising. They might accompany clients for a weekly food shop or meet for a coffee, exploring stabilising factors that help individuals make the most of available support and accommodation options. This approach fosters trust and provides a supportive environment where clients feel understood and valued.

Homelessness Recovery Team

Led by Michael McMillan, the Homelessness Recovery Team at SIFA Fireside is dedicated to helping individuals rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness. This team focuses on resilience and recovery, offering workshops and programmes that equip people with essential skills like digital inclusion, tenancy sustainment, cooking, and budgeting. By providing tailored, ongoing support the team can support individuals to maintain their accommodation and prevent future homelessness, ensuring that their recovery is sustainable and comprehensive.

SIFA Fireside’s comprehensive range of services aligns seamlessly with the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce’s Positive Pathway Model, supporting individuals at every stage of their journey out of homelessness. From immediate assistance and housing support to long-term recovery and skill-building, SIFA Fireside’s dedicated efforts ensure that individuals receive the adapted, ongoing support they need to achieve lasting stability and independence.

 

For more information about SIFA Fireside, visit their website https://sifafireside.co.uk/homelessness-support

For volunteering opportunities check out https://sifafireside.co.uk/workwithus/new-volunteering-opportunities/

And if you would like to support the work of SIFA visit
https://sifafireside.co.uk/ways-to-give/

 

Photo credit: Penny Burgess Photography