Nacro annual review

talk about the repercussions. We also praise themfor the little things they achieve, and you seechanges in them.‘At the same time, it’s our job to check that they arenot doing anything stupid, such as going toinappropriate places. There are certain questions thathave to be asked of them, such as where they’ve beenand who they’ve seen. We say: “Did you have a niceday today? Seen anybody nice? What photos did youtake – oh, can I have a look?” We monitor them, but inways that are not in their face. You want to believethat they are never, ever going to commit an offenceagain but you also have to err on the side of caution.’Residents find the atmosphere relaxed compared toprisons and probation hostels. ‘It’s great,’ says Mick.‘There’s no curfew and people here help each otherout.’ And they appreciate the positive support onoffer: ‘Coming to Nacro has been the best thing Ihave ever done,’ says Mark. ‘It’s given me the start inlife I needed. I persecute myself for what’s gone onin the past – I’m always carrying it around in mymind – but Nacro help you to face up to yourproblems. They offer all the support you want, agood place to live. If you want to get things in order,this is the place to be. It’s like a foundation stone.’Elsewhere in Nottingham, Nacro, working inpartnership with the city council, offers housing toyoung people aged 16 to 24 who are either homelessor experiencing housing problems (pictured aboveand left). Staff also help them to claim benefits, findeducation or work, and manage problems such asfamily breakdown. Furthermore, they offer guidanceon living skills, such as budgeting and cooking,which will be of use when they move on to longerterm,independent housing.Nacro staff Alex Careless and Yvonne Smith also dealwith factors that contribute to homelessness. ‘A lothave come from backgrounds where nobody gives adamn what they are doing, so they pushboundaries,’ says Alex. ‘We get kids who’ve been toldthat they’re a waste of space,’ adds Yvonne, ‘so weaddress that, and see them grow.’ Some of the lettersfrom former tenants are very poignant. One, sent ona fancy card, reads simply: ‘I am very thankful toevery single member of Nacro – you have been a bighelp.’It’s a sentiment that Sarah and Caitlin would endorse.The two sixteen-year-olds are basking in the sunoutside one of the hostels, and seem very much athome. ‘They’re not mardy,’ says Sarah about the Nacroteam, ‘they always ask if you’re all right.’ Caitlinagrees: ‘People assume that the homeless must betrouble-causers, and they try to put an authority tripon you. But everyone here is dead friendly. If we’remessy, they’ll ask us to clean up, but they’re nothorrible about it. They’re always welcoming: they sayhello when you come in. We do what we want but weare still living securely. It’s perfect really.’ 15