Making contact count at Aberdeen Foyer through First Contact

Find out how the Wellbeing Fund has supported Aberdeen Foyer in expanding their support provision to those in immediate crisis.

Aberdeen Foyer regularly supports up to 700 people every week who face multiple challenges including long term mental health conditions, substance use, isolation, poverty,  domestic abuse, offending history, disengagement from education,  unemployment and homelessness. Supporting people who face multiple and complex challenges takes time, trust and  compassion.

The challenges these vulnerable young people and adults face have been escalated significantly due to COVID 19 and have left many people feeling isolated, alone and without support networks.

Common feelings are new and increased anxieties caused by fear, food/fuel insecurity,  uncertainty, the loss of safe, nurturing environments and human connections.

Many have no car and are fearful of public transport, they face huge anxieties around shopping for essential items, however staying at home is resulting in increased and unmanageable heating and electricity costs.

There is much higher risk to mental health including self-harm, suicide ideation, increased alcohol/drug use or relapse and increased isolation as well as a higher risk of re-offending due to loss of diversionary activities and positive influencers. Protecting and supporting those experiencing domestic abuse is more difficult.  The most vulnerable women and young people the Foyer supports are now at increased risk of isolation and abuse. Those requiring support with the basic life skills required to maintain a tenancy are at higher risk of losing their home or are living in unsafe conditions.

Unemployment is also a major consideration and many of the new people reaching out to the Foyer during this time are those experiencing debt, poverty, food/fuel insecurity, relationship issues, general anxiety and suicide ideation.  This sharp rise in demand is also risking pushing those who are already the most marginalised further away from help and support.

The Foyer successfully applied to the Wellbeing Fund which has enabled the charity to bring together a new team of Wellbeing Coaches, pulling together vital resource from across the organisation with the right blend of skills, knowledge and experience  to assess the immediate needs of vulnerable people trying to access support.  This dedicated support meant those seeking help could talk through their issues at their own pace, feel listened to and valued.  This was not a signposting service as we know from experience this does not work well for at risk groups. Warm handovers enabled people to access  services as required,  and everyone was supported with regular follow ups.

Recognising the heightened anxiety around activities required to meet most basic needs,  Wellbeing Coaches stayed with clients on the phone while they used public transport, walked to the shop, collected medication or went for a walk – providing side by side support and encouragement to build coping skills and resilience by recognising and reinforcing positive achievements.

This new service, First Contact, recognised and respected that people cope in different ways and that many people prioritise things differently. The flexibility of a bursary scheme enabled Foyer to provide support reflecting individual interests, including art and craft materials and fitness equipment.  The service also responded to individual, immediate needs including providing household goods for those moving from temporary to permanent accommodation, baby care items for new mothers, food and fuel vouchers and IT equipment and internet connectivity.

The First Contact service supported people disproportionately affected by COVID-19 to move from a state of crisis to a place where they can begin working on their long-term coping skills and build resilience.  It enabled those in the community already facing multiple and complex challenges, with little or no access to digital kit and internet connection to access the equipment and support needed to get and stay digitally connected.

First Contact also facilitated a whole family approach enabling families to receive joined up support as opposed to one person in isolation, optimising opportunities for families to acknowledge that often, their challenges are interdependent.  Although crisis driven and basic needs are met, this intervention and the resulting relationships established optimised opportunities to access services, help break generational cycles of poverty/disadvantage and help families live well.  This also  included learning, education and employability support. In addition, it enabled marginalised and disadvantaged members of the community, who find it hard to access services, to receive holistic, person centred support quickly.

This timely response alleviated immediate crisis, built trusting relationships and optimised opportunities to decrease loneliness and isolation and improve emotional wellbeing, resilience and hopefulness. The Foyer is extremely grateful for the support of the Wellbeing Fund, which has helped us reach an additional 350 people during the pandemic so far.

End of page.