Passing the Baton

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Passing the Baton

• Two are
• Better than one

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Homelessness Task Force

• Appointed in 1999 by the Scottish Government
• "To review the causes and nature of homelessness
  in Scotland to examine current practice in
  dealing with cases of homelessness and to make
  recommendations on how homelessness in Scotland
  can best be prevented and, where it does occur,
  tackled effectively."

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Homelessness Task Force - Findings

• Relationship Breakdown is the single biggest
  cause of homelessness.
• Isolation and loneliness is the biggest cause of
  resettlement breakdown

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Relationship BreakdownIsolation Loneliness

• The pain of loneliness is most acute, when it is
  accompanied with the misery of memories of
  happier times lost forever.
• Life dies inside a person when there are no
  others willing to be-friend him. He thus gets
  filled with emptiness and a non-existent sense of
  self-worth.
• 
  Kurt Vonnegut

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Passing the Baton

• Bethany Christian Trust first piloted the project
  in January 2005
• Passing the Baton is about combating the
  isolation and loneliness that many homeless and
  vulnerable people experience

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How it Works
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Benefits

• Feedback from the 25 members we have supported so
  far 2 of whom have gone on to become community
  reps.

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Members report gaining .

• A sense of stability, security, belonging,
  community and acceptance.
• A foundation of secure relationships from which
  they gain confidence and a healthier self-image.
• The ability to see a future.
• Friends that understand.

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Members report gaining a .

• Strength, confidence, a deeper sense of
  self-worth and meaningful purpose to life.
• Self development through the experience of
  helping others.

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so, by creating positive social networks..

• We can prevent resolve homelessness.
• We can make the transition out of homelessness
  easier.
• We can reduce or eliminate resettlement
  breakdowns.
• We can breakdown exclusion.
• We can contribute to the development of
  sustainable communities.

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Results since January 2005
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Outcomes

• January 2005 to October 2007
• 
  
  
• Total Number of Members Supported 25 100
• Successfully Resettled Disengaged 18 72.0
• Engaged Sustaining 6 to 12 months 00 00.0
• Engaged Sustaining 0 to 6 months 06 24.0
• Resettlement Breakdowns 01 04.0
• Re-Presentations as Homeless 00 00.0
• Success rate 96.0

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We all have a part to play

• In every community there is work to be done. In
  every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every
  heart there is the power to do it.
• Marianne Williamson

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For More Information

• Contact
• Gavin Lawson
• Lead Facilitator Passing the Baton
• 0131 467 3030
• gavinlawson_at_bethanychristiantrust.com