It Takes a City simply could not have created the unique culture at Crossways without support from many partner organisations. Over the next few weeks they wanted to highlight a few of these partnerships, and how collaboration can lead to lasting, sustainable change for those on their journey from the streets.
Change, Grow, Live (CGL) provide a range of support services designed to help those experiencing homelessness break the cycle of substance use, offending and other behaviours that may contribute to their situation.
Dr Justin Markiewicz, from CGL’s Homeless Engagement and Recovery Team, wrote to thank the Crossways team for their hard work in ensuring the best possible outcome for our guests.
‘I’m writing to say a massive thank you for your work at Crossways and wanted to say how impressed I am with your work and the results that we see in our service users who are housed under your care during the winter provision. I wish that this hostel could become a permanent setting for the homeless in Cambridge.
The impact that your hostel has is amazing and it has the friendliest feeling.
All your workers, including the security guards, are visible and friendly, willing to spend their time talking with the residents and exploring all the avenues to support them as best you can. Your presence in the communal area makes it feel a safe, welcoming space.
This is one of the main reasons that I believe the residents at Crossways make excellent progress. The talk amongst the residents is positive and focused on recovery.
There are a number of examples that I have seen of this:
At a new starter appointment recently, one resident was so happy to be offered prescribing straight away, that she went and spoke to another resident who then engaged with us straight after and he entered treatment as well.
I reviewed one of our service users who was housed under SWEP. He reported the hostel was ‘brilliant’ and this is someone who has resisted going into any hostel before. He asked me after the review if I would speak to another resident that he knew had started to smoke heroin again. Following a conversation, that individual also accessed treatment for the first time in 15 years.
One of the most ‘chaotic’ individuals that we have been trying to work with started to engage with us after moving in with you before Christmas. We had failed to engage with him whilst he was on the streets for the previous 9 months. He was in a very difficult place when he moved in and had made quite a mess of his room. Instead of looking to evict, you spoke with him and us about treatment and gave him the opportunity to stabilise and remain in the hostel. I saw him every week in the communal area, talking with others, providing history lessons and positive stories to them and us.
The staff go above and beyond to support the residents. You are willing to give people multiple chances when others might not.
Emma brought one of the residents out for an emergency appointment at Mill House when I was unable to get to the hostel.
Not only are we seeing the benefits to our service users, but the joint working approach is resulting in more positive discussions about engagement with treatment, and this is spreading within the community. People we have been struggling to work with for months are coming to us now, and letting others know of the support that is on offer.
My CGL colleagues and I enjoy our visits and collaborative approach to help the most vulnerable people in Cambridge. I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Keep up the amazing work.
Thank you all so much.’
Chris Dade, ITAC Services Manager, spoke about the vital role that CGL and other services play in supporting Crossways.
‘Partnership working is so important to us as we seek to provide the widest range of support options possible for our guests, many of whom require specialist assistance with issues such as their mental health and addiction.
We are very lucky indeed that many of the services who can provide specialist support are able to visit the winter provision on a regular basis and establish continuous engagement with our guests in the positive and supportive environment that we have been able to create’.
