Tuesday 7 December 2010

The November freeze in London



As London is caught unawares of the coming "big freeze" Pilion's Shelter Me! project in partnership with the Cally Methodist Church open a new cold weather shelter. Local business and community volunteers spent weekends in early November revamping the church's crypt in time for a Christmas Shelter.




With the onset of the snow and sub-zero temperatures, decissions were made to open the shelter earlier and help save the homeless from freezing in the snow.




One homeless client stated that: the ambulance found him soaking wet in the Highbury Fields on Friday as he was suffering from Hypothermia. While in the ambulance he had to be revived 3 times. Tonight he thanked the staff, volunteers and Islington's Housing Aid Centre for saving his life.

The shelter will remain open while the cold weather remains and makes it hard for the homeless to remain on the streets.


If you are interested in helping out please call 020 7700-2601 or e-mail: adm_piliontrust@hotmail.co.uk and ask for Sheriff or Jackie.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

World Homelessness Day 2010


This Sunday is a Global movement for World Homelessness. Over 10 countries around the world are participating. Small Groups, Chairities, Communities, artists etc are staging events around the World to bring people together to think, debate and discuss the issue of homelessness that has been worrying people for 100s of years and no lasting solutions have ever been found.


It doesn't matter what type of Government and political or religious sways have been able to find a solution.


Maybe it is up to each of us individually and collectively to find a way to bring people out of homelessness.


Friday the 8th October 2010 from 1pm to 4:30pm The Pilion Trust is hosting the pre-launch event at Islington Town Hall.


You are invited to come along and support the movement.


There will also be over 15 charities present to help you and advise you on things that concern you.


We look forward to seeing you there. For more details go to Wold Homelessness Day website.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

The Pilion Trust will be supporting WORLD HOMELESS DAY 10th October 2010.

On Friday 8th October 2010 all day some of the Pilion Crew; the Islington Enhanced Community Outreach Service (ECO) guys (the guys who walk the streets day and night) will be raising awareness and funds at 7 Islington stations.

Also on Friday 8th October 2010 the rest of the Pilion Crew will be hosting a homelessness awareness raising session in Islington Town Hall room 5 for the public to attend and other homelessness organisations to put up stalls from 12:30 to 4:30pm.

Friday 20 August 2010

The Borough of Hackney


Have you ever really wondered why Hackney is such an awful Borough and no matter what money and incentives are put in the place it keeps reverting back to a place people just want to run from?

Over the past two months my teams have been trying to support and advocate for a number of vulnerable people. I mean a young man with mental health and learning difficulties who is fleeing two youth gangs that want to kill him; A young 20 year old woman, fleeing domestic violence and pregnant; An old age pensioner who is illiterate and is being evicted by the Council for rent arrears, when her pension and benefits pay directly to the Council's Housing benefit department.

My staff have had to take on the Housing Department, Mental Health Team, East London NHS, The Homerton and Learning Disabilities.

All staff in all departments have similarities in so much as they are rude, abrupt, refuse to give information and are lazy unthinking, uncaring brainless fodder.

The staff and their Managers turn a blind eye to Government Policy and Guidelines on Abuse, Vulnerable Children, Every Child Matters, Safeguarding and more...... When I contacted the Council officials, local Politicians and Government heads all turn a blind eye and don't want to look at the problems being caused by the Public Servants they employ.

It has taken 22 Community charities (who have very little money) to come together to support and assist 3 people to achieve their goals. This is a fraction of the money the Government wastes on Public Services.

No wonder the population of Hackney Borough bite back all the time.

So, next time you may think, mmmmm Hackney is a cosmopolitan cultural centre of the Universe and you might like to immigrate there, THINK AGAIN as all you will find are brain dead "Job Lotters" sucking the life blood out of those who cannot get out.

Please help the population of Hackney survive!

Government's White Paper on Stopping benefits for people who have addictions.


Today the Coalition Government announced its White Paper suggesting it would be a good idea and motivation for people with addictions to have their benefits stopped if they refuse to access treatment.

For the basic benefit that people are on it helps them to be able to eat and take care of themselves. If the Government stops this basic support, people will have to find other ways of surviving, which would increase the levels of inquisitive crime, home burglaries, vandalism and place vulnerable general public at risk.

It will further criminalize the most vulnerable and needy and will push people further underground and less likely to come forward for help if the threat is to loose the basic benefit.

86% of our clients, and we work with the most marginalised rough sleepers, once completing treatment come back to their communities and volunteer, give back and help others. Some of the 86% will also go on to have careers in addiction, homelessness and mental health.

In my view over the journey of a person with addiction issues the cost evens out and balances the community commitment with the clients commitments.

This Government and its policies of cutbacks where there is no extra money to help the most needy is creating Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.

Saturday 7 August 2010

Part-time Team Leader for Islington Outreach Team -ECO Service

A great opportunity for someone who wants to return to work or is planning to semi-retire.

The Pilion Trust are looking for an experienced and talented Team Leader to come on board and help take the the Service to the next level.

You will need to have a background in drug and alcohol treatment and an understanding in mental health, outreach and housing.

If you are interested please call 020 7700-2498 and ask to speak to Savvas Panas for further information and an application pack.

Closing date 30.08.2010

Building on our Success 08-09 Annual Report




The Management Committee is proud of the work achieved by the charity and the organisation hopes that you will enjoy reading about our work and achievements.




Building on Our Success 08-09 is the theme of our Annual Report.




Please contact us if you wish to read about the achievements of our charity.




admin_piliontrust@hotmail.co.uk

Volunteering Needed for new Prison Service


Our New Fyrst Step Programme has been awarded funding by Islington Council. Working in partnership with the London Prisons, Fyrst Step will run a meet and greet Service for vulnerable prisoners being released back to the community and will need to attend treatment appointments.

We are looking for a team of volunteers who may have anything from 1/2 a day or a full day free to help us support these vulnerable people.

If you are interested please e-mail admin_piliontrust@hotmail.co.uk or call 020 7700-2498 for further information and an application form.

Join us and help your communities. It's really rewarding.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Welcome to our Newest Trustee Howard

I would like to give a very big welcome to Mr Howard Garrick the newest member of the Pilion Trust Board of Trustees.

He has worked eceptionally hard to turn his life around and he is a welcome addition to our small but very tough board.

Respect Howard.