Jasmine Green
Providing a high support accommodation service for 4 young people who are either leaving care or registered homeless in Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Jasmine Green is one of the few supported housing projects that allows for each young person to hold their own Tenancy.
The project opened in August 2000 and provides short-term accommodation for young people aged 16 – 19. It is a high level support service which enables the young people to develop the skills and ability to live safe independent lives in the wider community.
Jasmine Green has a clear objective to be inclusive and non-discriminatory in its referral and recruitment process. This is reflected in our ability to work with and provide for young people with diverse needs and backgrounds. Whether young people come to Jasmine Green through the Leaving Care or the Registered Homeless route, they can all expect to receive a high level of support and investment in their future as they work towards their personal goals.
We provide a comprehensive support package which adheres to all the recommended and legislative guidelines to ensure the optimum outcomes for young people. This of course includes all the Five Outcomes (Every Child Matters). Each young person will be allocated a Key Worker. One of the Key Worker’s roles is to provide and be responsible for the young person’s Support Plan. The Support Plan is drawn up, reviewed and up-dated with the full involvement of the young person.
Young people are encouraged to express and develop social and personal interests. Through funds raised we have been able to buy and equip an Art and Craft Workshop, this allows and encourages the young people to get involved in creative activity.
SHARE MY LIFE...
Alex's story
I came to live at Jasmine Green just after my 17th birthday. I had spent some time living in a bed and breakfast after it became difficult for me to live at my family home.
My unsettled home life affected my education and I left high school with only 4 GCSEs. I think I could have done better but there was no support for me. Staff at Jasmine Green helped me register with a local training provider and I began working towards getting qualifications in adult literacy and numeracy level 1 and 2. This gave me the confidence to go on with my education. I completed an IT course – Clait Level 1 and with these 3 qualifications I was able to get a college placement studying for an OCR Nationals Level 2 in ICT. I got a merit grade for this course and am now studying for 4 GCSEs in Applied ICT.
I am a member of a local youth club and during my time at Jasmine I began training to be a ‘mentor’ for other young people. I took a leading role in making a DVD aimed at informing young people of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. I decided to become a volunteer at the club and started working towards getting trained in youth work. I got a county recognised certificate in youth work and interview techniques. I continue to volunteer at this youth club.
Staff thought that my personal achievements and work with other young people was really good and they put me forward for the Shaftesbury Young People’s Chesney Award. The board agreed with them and awarded me money to buy a lap top and printer.
Jasmine staff also helped me to legally change my name. This was very important to me as I felt it was the first step to leaving my past behind and being the person I am now, which is who I want to and can be…a good father, a good husband and a good provider for my own family.
I have moved into my own flat now and am happy. I live with my girlfriend and our pet rabbit (my girlfriend wanted the rabbit). I go back to Jasmine sometimes to talk things through or just to visit. It’s like a having a bunch of Aunties, another family.
