I would be very happy to meet to discuss developments in terms of Tetley Hall & other support accommodation in Leeds. Thank you.

Raymond

I can’t really say much at the moment! However, there is a lot of movement from Leeds City Council with regards to Tetley Hall. In terms of my housing predicament – it is getting attention, and am being supported by an housing officer, who is reassuring my fears, as well as supporting my need for finding somewhere fast. I will provide a full account when this is over!

Thank you for your support Noel

Raymond

I see from Twitter that you have a ‘Notice Requiring possession’, my understanding of that is that it gives you a 2 month notice period that your short-term tenancy is over. Is this interpretation correct and what does that mean for you?

Thanks Raymond,

Noel

I think there is a fine line between being critical and being cynical. It is clear to anyone that if governments set up tendering processes for money then any type of client (ex-offender or otherwise) will be turned into commodities. Agencies who have to chase govt funding will inevitably then try to the minimise their input or cherry pick their clients once the contracts are issued. I think it is only those agencies who gain unrestricted funding or generate their own income that are truly client focussed. I see this sometimes in the agency who I’m a trustee for. A solution that some agencies use (eg Leeds Mind) is for clients to pay for their services. This means not only that agencies get some additional funding, but also that the clients are truly voluntary. The biggest bonus is that it turns people away from being passive clients into an active and powerful customers, giving power and control to them. I think that’ srealy important in desiatance, and also in identifying motivated clients or customers whne resources are limited. In reality customers can’t pay serious money, so my model is to have them pay a nominal fee per session, or to buy any workbooks or materials themselves. I believe that even serving motivated prisoners will pay something or sacrifice something (eg association time)if they value what is on offer. This makes them a more powerful agent in their own rehabilitation. I’d like to think this approach doesn’t use offenders as commodities, but I also believe that the motivations of third and private sector agencies are good and well intentioned. Unfortunately their original values are inevitably compromised if they rely solely on government departments who are subcontracting out their work for the reasons of cost rather than of trying to improve services or making services closer to the people they are meant to serve. Of course, when govt departments keep the money to spend themselves, that’s even worse.

Andy