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.

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.

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.

ADELE OF PROJECT SILVERFISH WINS HOME OFFICE AWARD

SUPPORTING LONDON’S TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
ISLINGTON-BASED DRUGS WORKER WINS HOME OFFICE CHANGING LIVES AWARD 2009

Adele Adams from Islington has been nominated for a Home Office National Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Award for her role in ‘Project Silverfish’, a scheme she founded in 2008 to support one of the most marginalised minority communities in London - the intersex, transgender and genderqueer community.

‘Project Silverfish’ is the only one of its kind in the UK and was set up in memory of Adele’s close friend, world renowned DJ Alex Silverfish, a trans woman who at the peak of her professional career in the music industry committed suicide in summer 2008 after suffering years of harassment.

Having been supported through drug rehabilitation and a difficult journey through gender transition herself, Adele wanted to help others in similar situations.

Now, with the help of her colleagues, Adele delivers street outreach to inner London, offering trans and intersex people practical guidance on drug and alcohol misuse. She also offers harm minimisation support for people who feel that they need to use ‘black market’ prescription medication to help them through a physical sex change without GP supervision.

Adele was nominated for the Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Award by Savvas Panas, CEO of the Pilion Trust – an information and support charity based in Islington.

He said:

“There are not enough words to describe how well Adele has done, not only in completely turning around her own life, but helping the lives of others. In terms of commitment and perseverance, Adele always goes the extra mile. Adele works with people who have very complex needs, but nothing fazes her. She works day and night to help everyone she meets gain control of their life and take their rightful place in the wider community.”

Since the project began, Adele has also helped over XX people find suitable housing and gain work experience in an agency that will actively recognise and support their difficult journey through gender transition.

On hearing about her nomination, she said:

“It’s a fantastic feeling to be nominated for a Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Award and I would like to thank the Pilion Trust for helping me to achieve my own goals as well as making ‘Project Silverfish’ possible. Because I have had a difficult past myself, I know all too well about the risks of using drugs to help forget the pain caused by prejudice from local neighbours, employers and even strangers.”

One of Adele’s main aims is to get people back into work, learn new skills and help them gain confidence. She says that this is vital in reducing the risks of them going back to a life of drugs and alcohol misuse.

She continued:

“This community is hidden and marginalised and, as a result, many of them survive by working in the sex industry where illegal substances are rife. The transgender and intersex community has the highest rate of sex workers of any other community in the UK. It’s high time we took a closer look at the reasons why they are there, and help bring them back into mainstream employment, or at least make their lives safer.

“One of the ways we help to do this is by being advocates for those who do not understand how to access statutory benefits. We also offer training programmes for transgender people on ways out of the sex industry, as well as giving practical advice to those who are intersexed or transsexual. Moreover, ‘Project Silverfish’ recognises that it is no longer acceptable to put transgender and intersex people under the umbrella of gay and lesbian issues.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to convince people who have been abused all their lives, that you can be trusted, but I persevere, and I am so proud to say that since launching the project, many people who may have ended up like my friend Alex, now have a bright future - regardless of their background.”

The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson at the Award Ceremony today, highlighted and praised Adele and her work and congratulated her for being one of the winners of the regional awards.

There were over 230 applicant this year from across the country and was one of the finalists and regional winners.
If you wish to make a donation and support the work that Adele and her volunteers deliver for Project Silverfish, please send a cheque made out to The Pilion Trust, and post it to The Chair, c/o The Pilion Trust, 8 CLarendon Buildings, 25 Horsell Road, London N5 1XL and state that your support and donation are for Project Silverfish.