PEMBROKESHIRE ACTION FOR THE HOMELESS (PATH) mentioned they had been had been delighted that just about 40 attendees joined them on Tuesday (March 19) at The County Hotel in Haverfordwest for his or her Stakeholder Engagement Event.
The purpose of the occasion, The Herald has been instructed, was primarily to offer an update on the progress of our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) initiatives – being delivered by Pathway Counselling and our Numeracy team – however it was additionally an opportunity for us to update our companions on different areas of the organisation as nicely.
The UK SPF initiatives are being funded by the UK Government’s Multiply initiative, by means of Pembrokeshire County Council.
Michael Hooper, Managing Director of PATH, opened the occasion with a abstract of the modifications which have impacted the organisation since PATH had been profitable in our bid for practically £1m of funding from the UK SPF.
This further funding, which has resulted in fast progress of the organisation, has allowed us to assist extra folks than ever with over 2,500 folks now contacting us yearly for assist.
However, a rising homelessness downside, the scarcity of housing, and unsure funding for different areas of the organisation due pose challenges for the long run.
The future is optimistic although, as he outlined our plans to be extra sustainable, develop strategic partnerships to amplify our affect, empower groups to develop a future centered business plan, and in the end assist extra folks and stop homelessness every time potential.
Dean Flood, Senior Tutor on the Numeracy Project, was joined by Sally Berry, Tutor on the Numeracy Project, to stipulate how this progressive new service has began months forward of schedule.
The mission is available to anybody aged 19+ and residing in Pembrokeshire, with tips just lately altering to permit even these with a stage 2 qualification in maths to take part.
Originally educating was meant to begin in April 2024, nevertheless PATH began in January 2024 with two pilot teams at The VC Gallery in Pembroke Dock and The Mount Community Centre in Milford Haven.
So far PATH has engaged 797 PATH shoppers, with 68 hours of educating delivered, with 18 venues recognized as appropriate places throughout Pembrokeshire.
Jonathan Clarke, Senior Coordinator at Pathway Lettings, then up to date our companions in regards to the huge modifications at our social lettings company in recent months.
Using highly effective new software program – Alto – PATH says it could possibly now place folks into lodging faster than ever, and a digital hub the place tenants can view their paperwork and recordsdata makes managing a tenancy a lot easier.
Pathway Lettings is working in a tough market, with inflation and the rising cost of residing making it more durable than ever to offer inexpensive housing choices. However, PATH are working, they are saying, with landlords to maintain hire as little as potential.
Jonathan additionally outlined our plans to search out extra landlords and add new properties to our portfolio, in order that PAT can proceed to offer inexpensive choices throughout Pembrokeshire.
Currently, Pathway Lettings manages greater than 170 properties.
Julie Ashley-Jones and Helen Hillary offered an update on the large quantity of help that Pathway Counselling has supplied with the addition of their UK SPF funding.
The group has seen an enormous demand for our free counselling companies – available to anybody aged 16+ in Pembrokeshire – and has now grown to 30 counsellors. This includes of 15 certified counsellors and 15 trainee counsellors.
At the group’s everlasting base at 19 Market St in Haverfordwest, drop-in periods at the moment are taking place on Monday and Thursday each week (12pm – 3pm) and wellbeing workshops are additionally being held there.
Since September, over 300 referrals for counselling have been acquired by the group from 30 completely different sources (disaster groups, social media, companion organisations, and so on) with an estimated 1500 hours of counselling delivered.
Several members of the viewers had been fast to voice their experiences of referring to Pathway Counselling and their optimistic experiences of fast help being offered to their shoppers.
John Harris, considered one of our trustees, closed the occasion earlier than everybody tucked into the buffet by thanking everybody for his or her attendance and reiterated the purpose that PATH are searching for future funding choices to make sure the long run viability of those initiatives and our future plans.
