Consumer-run shelter, recovery, innovation, social work Tolstraat 86, 1074 SE Amsterdam

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Gordon Stevenson
8 years ago
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1 Name of project Duration Length of the project Target group Eligibility criteria For instance: unemployed adults, age group: 50 65years. Initiator Who first came with the initiative Stakeholders in the project Organizers (so not the participants/target group) Total project costs ( ) - Location of the project Country Keywords Max. 4 keywords that characterize the content of the project Contact Your Own Spot (Je Eigen Stek, location of HVO- Querido) Initiated in 2007, officially opened in 2008 till now People who experience homelessness, age from 23 HVO-Querido (an organization which provides care and shelter for homeless people) and the initiative group of former homeless people HVO-Querido Amsterdam, the Netherlands Consumer-run shelter, recovery, innovation, social work Tolstraat 86, 1074 SE Amsterdam project.jeeigenstek@gmail.com Purpose of the project What purposes was the project supposed to achieve according to project plan (max. 150 words)? Je Eigen Stek is a consumer-run shelter for people who experience homelessness. It is a house that provides shelter for sixteen people. The goal of Je Eigen Stek is: To support each other on the road towards personal and social recovery and towards an independent life after Je Eigen Stek To increase the empowerment of the residents on their own life and environment To develop the concept of consumer-run shelter. Je Eigen Stek is since 2009 associated with the Wmo-werkplaats Amsterdam 1. This is a knowledge network where the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences works together with the municipality, Je Eigen Stek, and other professionals and contributes to the development of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. To contribute to a more recovery orientated approach within the organization HVO- Querido To promote consumer-run shelters in and outside the Netherlands Strength based character Why can this project be seen as strength based: what do you expect to offer the target group and what you expect from them? Je Eigen Stek offers a place where the residents have: the possibility to give direction to their own lives, instead of professionals deciding for them a place where they can experiment and practice with new roles responsibilities as individuals and as a group the time and ease to reflect on their situation hope for a house in the future. 1

4 keywords that characterize the content of the project Contact Your Own Spot (Je Eigen Stek, location of HVO- Querido) Initiated in 2007, officially opened in 2008 till now People who experience

2 Je Eigen Stek expects from their residents that they: support each other on their road to recovery talk about the daily challenges in the house have the motivation to change participate in the household and other activities Target group Who/what is the target group? Men and women from 23 years and who experience homelessness. Choice for target group Motivation for the choice There was a need for a place where people who experience homelessness can be free of paternalistic professionals. Some of them, because of the law and regulations, fall into a void. For that reason, the initiative group started their own shelter, for those who have the same experience. In return, they have to participate in the household and activities of the consumer-run shelter. Activities Actual activities the project consists off, what is it you do? Residents: To do the groceries To clean the house To attend and participate weekly meetings To do interviews To do evaluations To participate in projects and other meetings about Je Eigen Stek Social worker and peer worker To guard and stimulate the values and development of the consumer-run shelter, by: o Supporting individuals by giving information and advice, to reflect, coach and motivate for behavioral change o Supporting the group process and collective participation and peer support o Supporting the development of the project within and outside the project o Being a link to external companies or health care providers Together Initiating and setting up a platform for consumer-run shelters Participating in presentations, workshops and other activities about consumer-run shelters Methods Which strength based methods were used, so how do you do it? Je Eigen Stek as a consumer-run shelter is a method in development. The social worker uses the following methods: Motivational coaching Empowerment approach Group dynamics Recovery approach

Choice for target group Motivation for the choice There was a need for a place where people who experience homelessness can be free of paternalistic professionals.

3 Initiator and partners Who was involved? HVO-Querido Municipality of Amsterdam Housing corporations Eigen Haard and Alliantie Communication Bureau De Mat Initiative group of residents of Je Eigen Stek Responsibility of initiators and partners Responsibility of initiator(s) and partner(s)? HVO-Querido was responsible for: The building Financial support Juridical support Service support Municipality of Amsterdam Financing Priority rule for housing (providing five houses a year) Housing corporation Eigen Haard Provided five houses Housing corporation Alliantie Provided six houses Communication bureau De Mat Coaching in communication Supporting de development of the project plan. Initiative group of residents of Je Eigen Stek Active participation of the project Output achievements What output has been achieved? For example: number of people enrolled and number of people finished the course, products delivered such as a training, handbook etc Output 2011 House by priority rule municipality of Amsterdam 3 House with ambulatory support to house without 1 Total 7 Fall out 3 Output 2012 House by priority rule municipality of Amsterdam 5 House with ambulatory support to house without 4 Total 12 Fall out 2

partners Responsibility of initiator(s) and partner(s)?

4 Output 2013 House by priority rule municipality of Amsterdam 6 House by own effort 2 House with ambulatory support to house without 1 Total 9 Fall out 2 Output January till March 2014 House by priority rule municipality of Amsterdam 1 House with ambulatory support to house without 0 Total 4 Fall out 0 Outcomes achievements What were the outcomes (none-measurable results, for instance a starting friendship), related to purpose of the project and other accidental outcomes. Make an explicit distinction between evaluation results and hearsay/feelings/opinions According to Boumans et al. (2012) 2, in general, the residents of a consumer-run shelter feel bonded with each other. They have to work and decide together and can receive mutual support. Because of this, they learn social skills. This occurs within an environment that provides ease and demands that the residents take responsibility for each other and the shelter. This results in getting appreciation, (re)discovering talents and competence and regaining their self-esteem. Dilemmas that come with consumer-run shelters are the suitability for residents with specific problems and sometimes the lack of incentives to stimulate the residents. Specific strength based success factors What strength based factors made the project successful (for example: to involve target group/ users in the project) Active participation of residents Tailored Support Network Cooperation and commitment of the municipality of Amsterdam, HVO-Querido and housing corporations. Room for improvement What would you do differently in the future, how would you improve the program? To move to another building that provides more privacy and where residents can be more involved in social activities with the perspective of a paid job. More focus on individual and social recovery of the residents. 2 Boumans, J., Muusse, C., Planije, M. & Tuynman, M. (2012). Nu leef je zelf. Een onderzoek naar zelfbeheer in de maatschappelijke opvang. Utrecht: Trimbos-instituut.

starting friendship), related to purpose of the project and other accidental outcomes. Make an explicit distinction between evaluation results and hearsay/feelings/opinions According to Boumans et al.

5 Sustainability How can the project be sustained in the long run so others can implement or integrate the project in their organization or practice? Ongoing involvement and commitment of the residents of Je Eigen Stek Commitment of the municipality of Amsterdam Research

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