Directory:London:Hammersmith and Fulham:Forward Project

From EveryonesHome.org.uk

Forward Project Referral address

c/o Unit 1, Bramber Court 2 Bramber Road London W14 9PW Phone

020 7381 8778 Fax

020 7381 8770 Email

info@theforwardproject.co.uk

Who the project is for ^ back to top Target group

People from black and ethnic minority groups who have mental health problems. Priority given to those with a local connection to LB Hammersmith and Fulham, although referrals are taken from other London boroughs. Will not accept

No automatic exclusions. All applications assessed on a case by case basis. AgeMinimum 18 Maximum 65 Average 45

How to get in ^ back to top Referral procedure

Self or agency referrals. Phone (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm). Applicant and agency complete form. Require psychiatric report. Interview. Visit and meet current residents, who are involved in the decision whether to accept. Referral agencies

Accept self or agency referrals. Most referrals come from Social Services, the Probation Service, the local Health Authority and other housing and mental health agencies. Need guarantee of placement funding. Vacancies

Monthly. Operate a waiting list of about 3 months. Length of stayMinimum 1 year Maximum 2 years Average 2 years

Staffing and support ^ back to top Support services

17 staff, sleep-in cover in RCH, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (emergency on-call Sat/Sun) in flats. Care plans reviewed every 3-6 months. Keyworkers offer advice on benefits, education, training and independent living skills, liaise with agencies providing specialist support. Residents expected to attend therapy sessions. Group therapy with separate sessions for men and women. Lower level of support in flats. Health services

CPN visits weekly. Can arrange external support for people with both mental health and drug/alcohol problems. Access to move-on

Residents may move to the 2nd stage shared flats, which offer lower support. Offer up to 6 months follow-up support to those who move on to local authority housing. Accommodation ^ back to top Total spaces

16 In 8-bed RCH and 2 4-bed 2nd stage flats. Rooms (cost per week)

Single: 16 at £82-£98 approx Higher rate is for RCH. £8-10pw required from those in 2nd stage flats on benefits. FacilitiesFurnishings Rooms fully furnished, with lockable cabinets and washbasins. Baths 1 to 2 people Toilets 1 to 2 people Showers 1 to 3 people Laundry Yes TV Yes Other facilities Lounge, garden. Food Full board in Registered Care Home, self catering in 2nd stage. Cooking facilities 1 shared kitchen in RCH. One kitchen in each shared flat. Floating support flats are self contained. Disabled facilities None.

Rules and policies ^ back to top House rules and tenure

No alcohol allowed on the premises. No smoking allowed in communal areas. Licence agreement in RCH, assured shorthold tenancy in 2nd stage. Resident access

Own key, no access restrictions. Visitors

Yes. Overnight guests with permission of staff/other residents and not for longer than 24 hours. Policies

Project is for people from black and minority ethnic groups. User participation

House meetings at least monthly, facilitated by staff, for feedback to management, setting project policy, planning social activities and holidays. Further information ^ back to top

The Forward Project is a black mental health resource in Shepherds Bush, providing a variety of services for the black community, including counselling and support for young adults in distress and families/carers of those with mental health problems. The accommodation consists of an 8-bed Registered Care Home (Nia House) and 8 spaces in two 4-bedded flats (Kwaanza House). Both schemes are in LB Hammersmith and Fulham but take referrals from any London borough. Public transport

Shepherds Bush & Hammersmith tubes - 2 mins walk. Buses: 207, 260, 283, 607 - 2 mins walk.