CHIEF OFFICER’S INTRODUCTION

JANE-ANNE TRIBE

HUMBERCARE’S MISSION STATEMENT

“Humbercare provides an enabling service committed to the development of high quality projects for offenders and those at risk, especially in the fields of employment, accommodation and crime prevention.”

Humbercare believes that by helping diverting individuals from crime by assisting them to obtain and maintain accommodation, provide advice and guidance on employment, education and positive use of leisure time as well as role models we can assist in making the world a better place for us all.

Humbercare continues to grow and develop in all areas and takes on and meets the challenges faced by ever changing legislation and funding demands.

This year’s Annual Report celebrates not only the success of Humbercare as a whole but the individual successes made by our User Groups.

Our Services include: A Mentoring Scheme; Supported Housing Projects; A Bond Scheme; An Education Project; A Resettlement Project and Young People’s Accommodation projects and involve offender’s and those of risk of offending; substance misusers; individuals with mental health issues; those with dual diagnosis; the homeless; care leavers; young people; and single parents.

User involvement is high on Humbercare’s agenda and its development is staggering.  The User Away Day this year was a great success and the highlight of the day was a wonderful play produced and performed by the drama group.  The hard work and commitment given by both staff and our client group is to be congratulated.

This year has seen a major change within our Trustees.  Gordon Polley, our Chair since 1989, retired from our committee this year.  He was a founder member of the Humbercare committee and his knowledge, kindness, support and level headedness will be missed by myself and all the other members of the committee and management team.

Norma Crabtree, JP, has courageously taken over his place.  We all welcome Norma and as a committee member of 9 years standing and know that she will continue to support and assist Humbercare’s Management team with her knowledge and understanding.

Another major change this year was the Retirement of David Deighton, the Mentoring Co-ordinator.  David has worked for Humbercare for 8 years and has been a dynamic and loyal member of staff who was liked and well respected by all those who came into contact with him.  I considered him to be supportive colleague who was a pleasure to work with. We have been lucky enough to attract David on to our Management Committee were his knowledge of the company and the work we do will be invaluable.

Catherine Coates has taken over David’s role as the Mentoring Co-ordinator and she will maintain and build on the successful project that David developed.

Humbercare is a learning organisation and continues to provide an intensive induction process for new staff and a continual learning for current staff. We have a rolling programme for the Level 3 NVQ in Advice and Guidance and another 5 staff have achieved it this year. Some have gone on to achieve Level 4. Two staff are undertaking their A1 Assessment Award and will then be able to act as internal NVQ assessors.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank: the Committee Members, volunteer Mentors and Carers, and our User Groups for their commitment and passion for the organisation and all the staff for their professionalism and diligence and loyalty.  I would also like to thank all the agencies that Humbercare works so successfully in partnership with.

DEPUTY CHIEF OFFICER’S REPORT

RICHARD MCKINNON

Humbercare’s continued development has resulted in many changes, the impact of this has meant a time of consolidation and ensuring quality across all services.

The organisation aims to ensure that service delivery is of the highest standard possible, to enable this Humbercare developed and implemented internal audit procedures. This last year the management team have reviewed and developed these procedures guaranteeing continued quality within all areas of the organisation. Humbercare has created a culture where service users can come to expect high quality services and more importantly, hold the organisation accountable should this not happen.

User involvement, its success and the issues it raises remains at the forefront of the organisation; Humbercare has fully embraced the ethos of user involvement and ultimately will ensure the opportunity of inclusion and proactive involvement at every level. New and innovative ways are continually needed to engage people and with this in mind, I would like to thank all the staff and service users whose dedication and belief in both the project and the idea that everyone has a voice, makes this project the success that it continues to be.

The demand for services is very high and we continue to work with some of the most difficult to engage clients, however with commitment and hard work from those clients there are some real positive and sustainable outcomes which enable people to go on to lead independent lifestyles. The development of complimentary services is ongoing, this ensures that clients are able to access a range of services within Humbercare to allow them to fully realise their potential.

Thank you to all service users, volunteers and staff for your hard work and commitment, also to those agencies and organisations with whom we work for your continued support and belief in the work of the organisation.