Anchor’s champions to support homeless and those at risk

Those who’ve experienced homelessness will mentor people who are sleeping rough, in crisis accommodation or at-risk of losing the roof over their head, thanks to a program run by Lilydale not-for-profit group Anchor.

The Peer Champion program, which will receive funding through Council’s 2019 Grants for Community Program, will ensure that homeless people are acknowledged as being able to provide insight through their lived experience which positions them well to improve current services and find solutions.

Anchor Housing and Support Services manager Jay Church said the program would share knowledge and feedback with other local homeless support groups like Stable One Shelter, The Salvos and Holy Fools to tap into issues and provide better local options.

“We don’t have crisis facilities here in the Yarra Ranges and people are connected to their community and want to stay closer to their supports,” Ms Church said.

“Access to services is a big issue, so it’s great to have something happening in Lilydale to help meet some of the needs in the Yarra Valley.

“We would like this program to act as a feedback mechanism so we can support the system and educate the community about the reality of being homeless.”

Ms Church said the peer education and support model had changed how mental health services operate and how services are provided.

“The champions or mentors with the lived experience are key to the program working. Their input is invaluable, without it we don’t know if service delivery is hitting the target,” she said.

“This model encourages working together, not working for or telling people what to do.”

House painter Danny Sharp knows what it’s like to be homeless, and to have someone there with the lived experience to coach him through the situation and let him know it won’t be forever.

“I like the mentor concept and it worked for me with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems,” Mr Sharp said.

“I’m nine years sober and clean and I still have three of my mentors around. It’s really important to have a mentor whether it’s addiction or homelessness.”

Mr Sharp now helps younger men facing homelessness to gain skills and earn some money through his painting business.

“People gave me a go when I needed it the most so that’s what I do now,” he said.

Michael Rhynsburger lost his home after a car accident left him with an acquired brain injury.

“Since the accident in 1997, I lost my house. From there, the world is a blur,” he said.

“I have looked out for other people on the street after going through it myself.

“I’d like to see some activities organised for homeless people with other organisations, to work on social skills for people to do normal things like fishing at Lillydale Lake.”

Stable One chairperson Trevor Ingamells said housing was just one part of the journey to finding accommodation.

“Unless you have people to support you, it’s tough. Being a mentor might involve a phone call or going to have a chat with the person and encouraging them, or just asking  ‘how are you going?’,” he said.

“The things we take for granted.”

Find out more about Anchor: www.anchor.org.au

For more information about Council's Grants for Community, visit: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/grants

Caption:

Stable One chairperson Trevor Ingamells, Stable One’s Jenny Willetts, Anchor Housing and Support Services Jay Church, Anchor Transitional Support team leader Michelle Duncan, house painter Danny Sharp