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What is
Spires?
Spires is a South London-based charity that helps hundreds
of homeless and disadvantaged people every year to improve
their circumstances.
We help people access immediate support when they are
in a state of crisis as a result of housing problems, health
or drug & alcohol issues. This may involve finding them
a place in an emergency hostel or getting treatment for
urgent health problems.
As well as providing crisis support to rough sleepers and
others in need of help, we have developed services that
help people achieve long-term solutions to their problems.
This includes addressing drug and alcohol issues, supporting
people to live independently in the community, and offering
a range of training activities.
Spires aims to provide a safe and welcoming space where
people can develop the trust and confidence that will enable
them to make real improvements in their circumstances. Our
130-plus volunteers play a vital role working alongside
our staff team to help break down the isolation and loneliness
experienced by so many of the people who come to Spires.
A vital resource for South London, Spires meets its costs
through grant-making trusts, donations from individuals
and businesses, fundraising events and a small number of
statutory grants.
^top^ | What
is Spires? | History | Who
we help | Staff
History
During the late
80s, homelessness became an increasingly visible problem
in Streatham and the surrounding area. While media attention
focused on the problems in central London, there was no
service available locally for homeless people.
As a result a temporary Christmas centre opened in 1989,
jointly organised by the congregations of English Martyrs
and St Leonard's churches in Streatham, with the support
of many others in the local community.
Such was the demand for this service, and the support of
local volunteers, that in 1992 a more permanent service
was established. Initially this was the 'Sunday Centre',
providing services every Sunday including a hot meal, clothing
and advice.
This was quickly followed by additional weekday openings
and a new name - 'the Spires Centre', registered as a charity
in 1993. Since then, Spires has been successful in attracting
resources to extend the services it offers to homeless and
disadvantaged people. It has retained a strong link with
its two founding churches, and volunteers continue to play
an important role in delivering services.
However, services have developed considerably and Spires
now works with a range of other statutory and voluntary
agencies to offer long-term solutions to homelessness.
In February 2006 Spires incorporated Streatham Streetlink
a local agency previously based within Spires but not part
of our charity, formally into Spires. The newly named 'Spires
Streetlink' continues to deliver essential services to women
involved in sex work within the borough of Lambeth. Services
include outreach and centre based work helping women to
stabilise their lifestyle and access mainstream support.
Spires Streetlink has been able to expand and develop as
a project, and now has 2 full time, and three part time
staff working with women in need.
^top^ | What
is Spires? | History | Who
we help | Staff
Who
we help
Anyone can become homeless.
At Spires we see people who were once in secure jobs
and happy, comfortable homes. In many cases a family crisis
leads to a life on the streets. For others, the cause may
be drug and/or alcohol issues, mental ill health or sheer
bad luck.
Each individual has their own story. Whatever it is, Spires
offers a warm welcome to everyone. Over time, as trust develops,
we work hard to put in place real solutions to poverty and
homelessness.
25% of Spires users have been in care and 50% are registered
disabled. At least 45% have drug and/or alcohol issues,
while 58% have mental health problems.
Of the hundreds of people that come to Spires every week,
quarter are women and 22% are over 60. Most lack permanent
homes and sleep rough or are insecurely housed in hostels,
squats or bed and breakfasts. Almost all are unemployed
and over 80% have not worked for over two years.
Spires Streetlink work with vulnerable women involved in
sex work via outreach sessions and centre based follow-through
work. Spires Streetlink staff and volunteers working in
partnership with other local agencies, support women from
point of street contact through to more settled accommodation
and beyond. During 2006 Spires Streetlink staff and volunteers
met with and supported in excess of 300 women involved in
sex work in Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs.
98% of the women met were struggling with substance misuse
issues, 25% of the women were under 25 years old, and many
were fleeing violence and abuse. Spires Streetlink staff
and volunteers always aim to support women away from a chaotic
street based lifestyle. Our experience in this field enables
us to take the longer term view and we offer a committed
approach to the support we offer all women. (For more information
about Spires Streetlink please contact us at info@spires.org.uk
or call 020 8696 0943)
^top^ | What
is Spires? | History | Who
we help | Staff
Staff
To
contact any member of staff at Spires: please
send an email to info@spires.org.uk,
give us a call on 020 8696 0943 or drop in during opening
hours (see timetable).
Amanda Cooper - director of Spires, responsible to
the trustees for its overall management, staffing, direction,
and strategy.
Tania Lucas - deputy director, responsible for day-to-day
operational management and help with fund-raising. Particular
projects are Adult Learning and Client Volunteering.
Lisa Foster -Young Persons worker (16
- 25) with particular focus on young homeless people and
young women involved in sex work
Tracy Kilner - office manager. She is responsible
for book-keeping and accounts, administration, including
premises matters, and is also health and safety officer.
Patrick McCabe - drug and alcohol worker, responsible
for advice, support and referrals for clients with drug
and alcohol issues. Also supporting those clients with drug
and alcohol and mental health 'duel diagnosis'
Katy Dee - tenancy support worker. She works with
users to help them on all issues relating to maintaining
a safe and secure tenancy, including life skills.
David Thistlethwaite - adult learning coordinator/volunteer
Recruitment Officer. He manages all training and activity
groups including computer skills, literacy, music and art.
He recruits, trains and supports all volunteers at Spires
Pamela Mazava - Spires Streetlink Service Manager.
She works with women involved in sexwork and runs the Spires
Women's Space on Fridays.
Mary Marsden - Spires Streetlink Outreach Support
Worker
Maggie Reber - Spires Streetlink Outreach Support
Worker.
Rhea Coombs - Womens Support Worker. - supports vulnerable
women in the centre, focusing on housing, legal and drug
& alcohol issues.
Kim Rackstraw - rough sleepers co-ordinator. This
involves working with Rough Sleepers placing them in appropriate
accommodation which could be hostels, supported housing
or private rented.
Simone Doris - over 50's worker. She supports clients
who are over 50 and has activity sessions such as swimming,
drama and bingo.
Andrew Stephenson - Tenancy support worker for mental
health. Specialist tenancy support for mental health clients
at Spires and SLAMS hospital ward and community clinic.
^top^ | What
is Spires? | History | Who
we help | Staff |
