April 2020

Forum Housing Association 18 Hamilton Square

Birkenhead Wirral

CH41 6AX

Tel.: 0151 649 9718

Email: hello@forumhousing.co.uk

Web: www.forumhousing.co.uk

@ForumHousing

Hello Everyone

Welcome to our Easter Newsletter.

As the grip of the current crisis tightens even further, the closing of Churches approaching the most

poignant of religious festivals gives a stark indication of just how serious the current pandemic is. On a positive note, the true value of social media communication has now been finally realised. Often

considered as a hiding place for the cowardly, the world has finally realised that when used with love,

faith and affection the numerous social media platforms can truly provide comfort by bringing families,

friends, the lonely and the isolated into each other’s hearts during troubled times.

This latest edition of SHOUT will serve as a reminder of just how important the help and support

provided by Team Forum is across all our Projects. Whilst we continue to provide accommodation,

guidance and advice to all our young people and residents, we are also seeking to provide assurances

that Forum will be there as and when needed with listening ears and helping hands. As highlighted in a recent communication to staff, please let us not forget that the dedication of the Project teams

willingly supported by Estates truly deserve a similar level of appreciation currently afforded to the

NHS staff as they strive to support our young people and residents through this harrowing time.

Please continue to read the inspirational stories contained within the Newsletter and can I personally

thank you for all of your support and prayers.

Debbie Thompson

Chief Executive

Shout! Newsletter

Message from Sue Elliott

Chair of the Board

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

At the time of writing I am sure you (like me) are trying to make sense of an ever changing landscape of advice

and new policies regarding the management of the coronavirus pandemic. It has reminded me of the plagues

God sent Egypt (when Pharaoh refused to set the Israelites free) and many epidemics which have been

experienced over the years and am thankful that God has worked through many medics who have found solutions

and cures to many of the diseases, and continue to research and explore protection from COVID-19 now.

But as I welcome you to the Easter edition of SHOUT, I would like to pay tribute to the amazing staff at Forum who continue to provide outstanding support to our 280 residents in Wirral, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and

Chester and Warrington. Staff are continuing to provide sufficient cover whilst some need to self-isolate. It is

working well as operational staff are rotating and working flexibly across the Projects when needed.

Communications are being sent out daily from the Business Continuity Group (Executive Team) promoting well-

being and safe working practices, following Government guidelines. Where there is a need due to underlying

health issues we have front line staff working remotely. Head Office is open although the majority of staff are

working from home. We have no confirmed cases of the virus for our residents or staff. However we have

residents in isolation and ensure we meet their needs via 1:2:1 phone contact and a provisions drop off. We

have very few voids and are receiving new referrals constantly, including some requests for an extended age range. Understandably staff and residents do feel anxious about the future, and I would ask for your continuing

prayers for Debbie, the Executive team, all staff and our residents at this time of uncertainty, we trust God for His

guidance and strength in these difficult days. 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.'

And as we prepare to celebrate Easter I share three reflections

Firstly, Maundy Thursday as a time to commemorate when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, and the Last

Supper. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning commandment. This refers to John 13:34

where Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Jesus then demonstrates His great love and servant leadership by washing the feet of His disciples. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

We at Forum strive to live out Love One Another and Service to meet the needs of all in the Forum family. Whilst

we do need to avoid non-essential contact, we will support our neighbours with practical tasks and talking, even if

that is by phone!

Secondly, Good Friday is the perfect time to thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus. He gave His only Son so that

we might live! Could there be any greater gift? Let’s remember to reflect on the sins we contribute to the pain

Jesus endured, and ask God for forgiveness and cleansing. And let us thank God for His endless mercy and

forgiveness.

And on Easter Sunday let’s celebrate His Resurrection! For in the Resurrection of Jesus we find our hope of

eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In these challenging times, we can bring hope to those who despair by

sharing the good news that Jesus is Alive and God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in these troubled times.

So we, at Forum, thank you for your continuing support for our precious residents, and wish you every blessing

this Easter.

Sue Elliott

Adapting in Difficult Times

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, Forum have needed to adapt in

many ways whilst striving to maintain a service to all residents in our

care.

We seek to update our residents regularly through the option of

social media, letters, and posters displayed at sites to further

promote health and wellbeing at this time; from the importance of

hand-washing and maintaining mental and emotional health, at the

same time as encouraging social distancing.

From 18th March, all Project activities were cancelled. This is one of

the measures we have taken to ensure that all staff and residents are

kept as safe and well as possible. We look forward to the day we

can resume activities, but in this edition we want to share some

recent memories of special times, and how we’re doing now...

A special shout out to Supported Lodgings resident Kenny

who turned 21 on March 29th.

Wishing you a very Happy 21st Birthday

Kenny, and Many Best Wishes!

Jakub is 16 years old and has lived in England for 4

years now.

He is accommodated with one of our Supported

Lodgings Hosts Gill and her family on a beautiful farm

in Cholmondeston, along with another young person

through the Supported Lodgings Scheme.

Gill has 6 horses, 4 dogs and 3 sheep!

Whilst in isolation, Jakub has been learning to horse

ride! This is his first time and apparently “he is a

natural!”

Thriving at Supported Lodgings By Alex Hepworth

About Us

Forum Housing Association offers

supported accommodation to single

young people and adults aged 16-

39, who are homeless or seeking

independence.

We offer a range of accommodation

across 3 boroughs including; Wirral,

Cheshire East and

Ellesmere Port / Cheshire West.

Additionally, we also run a project

for adults who are homeless or

threatened with homelessness in

Warrington.

Last year we celebrated our

50th Year Anniversary!

Staff members Pauline and Craig held a Sugar Awareness session with

super healthy pancakes at

the Links!

Smiles and perfect pancake flipping at

Haven House in

Warrington!

A Happy, Healthy

Pancake Day

One evening, I made some cupcakes

with one of our residents Katie who is

currently doing a Level 3 Pastry Course

at college. Katie often comes home

with amazing cakes and pastries for

the staff to try!

I had never made cupcakes from

scratch, (it’s always been a cake in a

box that you add an egg to), so Katie

said she would teach me to make

cupcakes with a buttercream icing!

It was great to be taught something

rather than me teaching a skill, it made

a nice change. And I can now make

proper cupcakes with my daughter at

home ~ she will love it.

Thank you

Katie!

Katie’s Bake Off! By Denise, & by kind permission of Katie

Market Wells’ staff and residents prepare and

serve sweet and

savoury pancakes to

others at the project.

Well done everyone!

Yum! Yum! Yum!

Youth Homeless Parliament, By Brian Hinton

“It was that time of year again, when we encourage our young people to take part in Youth Homeless Parliament in London along with many others from around the

country.

The event provides an opportunity for young homeless people to be heard, as they communicate with ministers and civil servants, discussing the most pressing issues

that the young people face in their lives today. The purpose is to influence a change

in understanding and policy that could impact the lives of young people that will

come after them.

The COVID-19 crisis has meant that the main event has unfortunately, but

understandably, been postponed for now. Not great news when this is one of the

biggest single opportunities to directly influence the people that write national level

policy… It’s not all gloom though...

In late February, we took the five young people to

Birmingham to complete a two-day training residential. Here they engaged in loads of confidence and team-building

exercises whilst developing a solid understanding of the

content they wanted to take to Parliament to discuss. The

topics they hoped to raise were related to;

1. Early Intervention

2. Supported Accommodation

3. Mental Health and Wellbeing

4. Further and Higher Education

5. Benefit and Work

6. Post Independent Support

The team building exercises were focused around

Communication, Advocacy, and a ‘Group Contract’ (writing

their own rules for Parliament).

As the staff representative for Forum, I felt genuinely and deeply proud of each of our young people. They demonstrated great maturity, intelligence, and a clear

progression in their confidence over the two days.

The main event may not have happened yet, but I believe the experience these

young people have had with the training alone will make a huge impact in their lives.

“I felt

genuinely

and deeply

proud of

each of our

young

people.”

Above: All set for two days at Youth Homeless Parliament; Taking part in an intense team building exercise!

On our way to Birmingham!

Thank You For Your Support

Where would we be without you?

We receive so much support from organisations,

companies, individuals and Churches who enable us to

show those in need that they are deeply valued and cared

for.

We are so grateful that our newest Project, Haven House in

Warrington which provides accommodation for those at risk of street homelessness, has been embraced by the

community and local suppliers, including Uncle Don’s Chip

Shop ~ “The best chippy in town is also the chippy that brings our residents free chips… and the occasional potato

fritter for me!”, says Project Manager, Mark.

“In the middle of all the Corona chaos we have found

incredible partners who are sympathetic to our cause; bulk meat and a reduction on the price from Houghton's Meat

Wholesalers, donations of luxury goods from TK Maxx and

a generous donation of oats from Mornflake which filled

my car boot!, all helping the homeless in difficult times.

Thanks guys.”

Can you help? We’re in need of:

Donations of towels for Haven House in Warrington, even clean second-

hand would be helpful. If you can help, please contact Angela Hulme on

0738 837 9139.

Forum Housing Association 18 Hamilton Square Birkenhead Wirral CH41 6AX

Tel.: 0151 649 9718

We’d love to hear from you! Contact us:

hello@forumhousing.co.uk

@ForumHousing

Follow us:

www.forumhousing.co.uk

Prayer Points

As we give thanks to God for all things,

please join us as we pray for:

All the families who have lost loved ones

during this pandemic

All young people and residents who are

experiencing health issues and loneliness due to isolation not being able to see

friends and loved ones.

For Staff and Board Members, Our

Patron, President and Chair of Board

For Finances being released through

Grant/Bid applications

For Guidance and Wisdom as we prepare

for our new Business Plan for the next 5

years.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on

wings like eagles. They will run and not

grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31