Services
Please click the links below to view information about our three main services:
Thorntree Street
The concept of the service at Thorntree Street had long been in the mind of the Chief Executive and this vision was eventually realised through a partnership agreement with Bield to open the new build service in 2003.
Tenants at Thorntree Street are presently all males aged over 50, sharing various experiences of homelessness, living in insecure accommodation and their lives being affected in some way by their use of alcohol.
The main ethos of Thorntree Street is to provide sustainable long-term secure accommodation to tenants within their current lifestyles and support needs, remembering not to under-estimate the importance of security of tenure – currently tenants have full Scottish Secure Tenancy agreements. There are eight ‘bedsit’ type flats and four one bedroom flats, all with lift access.
In house support and care services are provided by the Rowan Alba staff team and other agencies working with the tenants on an individual basis. It’s about working with the individual at their level, supporting their diverse needs and aspirations. It’s often not about what could be seen as significant changes – even the smallest change can make important differences to peoples lives.
It’s also about tenants and staff finding the balance between independence and communal living, promoting choice and supporting decisions while inviting tenants to look at the impact their decisions or behaviour has on their quality of life and how it can impact on others.
The service offers a ‘café’ type at cost food service which tenants finance through paying for meals in advance or at point of purchase. Tenants have significant input into the varied menu choice, appearing to prefer basic traditional dishes. All staff are required to attend Food Hygiene training.
The service is currently setting up a voluntary befriending type service in partnership with Bield HA. Should you wish to consider this further or would like more information, please contact the Service Manager on 0131 555 5240 to discuss.
TopWest Pilton Park
The Stramullion Service in West Pilton was established in 2003 in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council. It provides secure short terms supported accommodation for up to ten women and their children in individual flats. Rowan Alba provides support and advice based upon the individual needs of each client.
Whilst each support plan depends on the circumstances of the individual there are some core services which many of our clients require.
- Provision of temporary accommodation
- Welfare and benefits advice as well as income maximisation
- Budget and debt management
- Life Skills training and home management
- A personal development programme
- Tenancy maintenance support
- Resettlement and social activities
- Advice, information and support in respect to accessing local community based services
- Referral services to specialist social work, health and counselling services
- A follow up service after re-settlement.
The service currently caters for specific client groups:-
- Women, with or without children
- Women who require support to restructure their lives
- Women who meet criteria pertaining to homelessness
- Women who are showing difficulty in managing their current circumstances.
Our Support Workers provide 24 hour cover, temporary accommodation and resettlement services and advice and information on a wide range of topics. At the end of their residency women requiring further tenancy support are referred on to either Rowan Alba’s Sorbus Service (hyperlink) or to another agency.
In addition to these services the Stramullion Service offers a social atmosphere and activities to include all clients. Activities in the past have included cookery courses, jewellery making, bingo, barbeques and outings.
The service is managed by Ann Brotherton who has worked with Rowan Alba since May 2003 and is funded through the city of Edinburgh Council.
For further information on Stramullion or its services please contact the Stramullion Scheme on 0131 552 9607.
Floating Support - Perth & Kinross, Angus & Dundee
The concept of Floating Support came through the implementation of Supporting People throughout the UK in 2003, with the aim of providing quality services, focused on the needs of service users. The floating support service offers vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life through greater independence. The service aims to enable people to remain or establish themselves independently in the community.
The floating support service which covers Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee, is provided by a team of nine full time and two part time staff led by the floating support manager. The team work to promote self-development, enhancing confidence and abilities to maintain their current tenancy and quality of life. The team provide practical support, advice and assistance, taking an enabling and supportive role, which allows service users to make their own decisions and choices. We aim to provide a flexible service to be responsive to the needs and circumstances of the service users.
The service is aimed at supporting adults of all ages who have been identified as in need of assistance, and covers a wide variety of support needs including those who:-
- Are vulnerable due to age (including young people)
- Are addicted to alcohol or drugs
- Have mental health problems
- Have a learning disability
- Have a physical disability
- Are chronically ill
- Are frail due to age
- Are homeless or sleep rough
- Have poor social skills or disruptive behaviour
- Have behaviour that puts them at risk of offending
- Are leaving institutions
In general our referrals come through the supporting people team, but can be made by anyone acting on behalf of the service user, including a social worker, GP, health visitor, neighbour, carer or family member. Referrals can be made directly by the service user themselves. Once a referral has been received, an initial meeting will take place to look at the support needs, and an agreement will be made on the support that will be provided with the named worker and the service user. In doing this we will, if required, suggest referrals to other agencies to become part of the support package.
If you require additional information on how to make a referral you can either contact:-
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Louise Farquharson Office Manager Rowan Alba Limited 89-95 Fountainbridge Edinburgh EH3 9PU Tel: 0131 229 7554 Fax: 0131 228 1210 |
Fiona Ingram Floating Support Manager Rowan Alba Limited 28 Glasgow Road Perth PH1 2EP Tel: 01738 451186 Fax: 01738 622394 |
The service is monitored in all local authority areas by the Supporting People Team, who carry out regular reviews of the service.
In addition to this we are required to comply with the Regulation of Care Act and are monitored by the care Commission. Copies of recent Care Commission Inspection Reports are available below.
Download documents below (in PDF format)
