SoundCafe Leicester
3 year business plan 2015-2018
ONE ROOF LEICESTER BUSINESS PLAN
Contents
Executive Summary
3
Contact Details
3
Background and history
4
Vision, Mission Statement, Aims, Objectives
5
Project Plan
6-7
3 Year Project Plan
8-9
Organisational Chart
10
Market Assessment
11
Evidence of Need – National Landscape
12
Evidence of Need – Leicester Landscape
13
Evidence of Need- Results from ORL 2014 Client Survey
14
Social Purpose and Impact
14
Monitoring and Evaluation
15
SWOT Analysis
16
Fundraising Plan
17
Financial Analysis
18
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Executive summary
SoundCafe Leicester is a registered charity. SoundCafe Leicester has piloted the
provision of a safe creative space for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or
socially isolated.
SoundCafe offers opportunities to promote feelings of well-being, confidence and selfesteem by enabling people to take part in creative activities such as singing together,
poetry, crafts, drawing and painting.
Over 30 volunteers including Samaritans support SoundCafe’s work. Since the launch of
SoundCafe in October 2014 the numbers of people attending have grown from 18 to over
35 per session.
SoundCafe welcomes everyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender or
ability. SoundCafe provides the opportunity to explore the Christian faith for those who
wish to do so.
SoundCafe’s Patron is the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens. Other partners
include: The West Leicester Mission Partnership, Leicester Cathedral, The Samaritans
and Groby Sings.
The trustees of SoundCafe include those with experience of working with rough sleepers,
long term homeless, socially isolated people, those with drug or mental health issues and
those who are destitute. This experience has shown us that we need to provide creative
solutions to meet the diverse needs of those who are or were once homeless.
Homelessness and the effects of it cannot be solved by a short term stay in a hostel nor by
one organisation. Therefore SoundCafe is planning a development of a range of services
and opportunities:
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a choir combining the talents of clients and volunteers
café sessions
listening projects to enable and empower clients to feel heard and understood
arts and crafts expression
apprenticeships to enable clients and others to gain qualifications
adult literacy combined with “gain a voice” through poetry and song
campaigning to raise the profile of the target group
a client survey regularly to monitor the outcomes
developing a networking group and research for a pilot which will address the
holistic needs of clients and bring different agencies together to provide a holistic
Well-Being centre in Leicester.
.
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SoundCafe Leicester has seen similar projects work in other parts of the UK and know that
with the right support and backing we can offer respect, dignity and security to those
suffering and surviving homelessness in Leicester.
Contact Details
Name Roz Burch, chair of Trustees
Address c/o St Martins House, Peacock Lane Leicester
Phone 07940819403
Email [email protected]
SoundCafe Leicester is a charity registered in England and Wales.
Registered number: 1162987
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Background and History
At SoundCafe Leicester we believe that people who are at risk of, experiencing or were previously
homeless should be able to access services that encourage their physical, emotional and spiritual
well-being. We believe that a homeless person needs more than a bed for the night: we want to
offer services and support that will enable a homeless person to escape the downward spiral of
homelessness and uncertainty.
SoundCafe Leicester is a group of volunteers supporting the homeless, destitute and vulnerably
housed in Leicester. In 2014 we identified the need in consultation with people from the target
group to ensure there was regular provision for all homeless people, especially those sleeping
rough, and to avoid duplication of services by networking with One Roof Leicester (ORL) whose
partners have been supporting people affected by homelessness for over 40 years; by providing
daily hot meals, advice, mentoring, social activities, education and/or accommodation. ORL also
promotes and raises awareness within the wider community about homelessness issues.
Partner organisations support SoundCafe Leicester in its work and together we try to ensure that
we provide a range of services which meet the needs of all clients, identify gaps in service and
develop new services.
Partner organisations are:
St James the Greater - Meet and Eat project
St Andrew’s Jarrom Street
West Leicester Mission Partnership
Diocese of Leicester – both St Martin’s Cathedral and St Martins House
St Peter’s Braunstone
The Bridge
Centre Project
The Samaritans
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Vision
To empower local homeless or previously homeless people to build new lives
Mission Statement
By working in partnership, we want to ensure that all people at risk of, experiencing or previously
homeless are provided with support, care and a safe creative space to become the people they are
meant to be.
Aims
1. To support homeless people to develop feelings of well-being, confidence and selfesteem by enabling them to take part in creative activities such as singing together,
poetry, crafts, drawing and painting.
2. To build, develop and sustain partnerships which enable collaboration on projects
3. To identify new ways of supporting homeless people to gain confidence and skills
4. To ensure that homeless people gain a voice and that it is heard
5. To develop a platform for information, communication, conducting surveys and
research through the network of provision in Leicester
Objectives
1. To provide regular gatherings and events for SoundCafe’s choir to practice and perform
2. Ensure that the network of homelessness provision in Leicester is aware of SoundCafe’s
services
3. Ensure that the homeless voice is heard by conducting an annual survey amongst homeless
people. This will ensure that clients can provide feedback on the services that are provided.
The survey will enable also us to continue to review services, identify gaps and help shape the
future strategy.
4. To provide a safe creative space regularly for the homeless and socially isolated to enable
them to explore their own creativity
5. To encourage faith communities, especially the Christian churches, to take on the responsibility
to provide localised support, befriending, mentoring and faith development to homeless
residents living in their community
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Project Plans
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
Choir
Café Sessions
Listening Project
Gaining a voice through adult literacy
Arts and Crafts
‘The Haven’ – well-being and therapy centre
SCL recognises that homeless people need more than just a home. They also need help
and support to overcome addictions, opportunities to learn life-skills and a place to meet
and socialise with others. The Haven will consist of three areas; music and art practice
rooms, therapy rooms and a well-being area. The therapy rooms will consist of alcohol and
drug rehabilitation, counselling and mental health support. In the Well-being area clients
will be able to learn life skills including cooking, managing finances, etc. and access
alternative therapies.
Networking Forum
SC Leicester links with the opportunity for organisations and charities working with the homeless to
attend quarterly networking meetings hosted by ORL. The meetings give representatives an
opportunity to talk about their services, share good practice, and discuss new initiatives. Through
these discussions we can identify changes that need to be made and lobby local and national
government agencies and service providers to change their policies on homelessness.
Client Survey
SCL will conduct an annual survey with clients who use their services. The survey will aim to
guage feedback from clients on the quality and effectiveness of the services that are provided and
will draw upon the annual survey by ORL and Leicester City Council. The survey will also enable
us to continue to review services, identify gaps and help shape the future strategy.
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3 Year Plan
Project
Client Survey
Year 1
Plan the survey using
Outcome Star
Conduct the survey
among SCL Guests
Set-up a focus group to
analyse results and
provide
recommendations
Year 2
Develop on-line survey
Purchase internet
enabled tablets for
providers without
access to
computers/internet
Conduct survey with
ORL
Year 3
Conduct survey with
more affiliate
organisations
Set-up a focus group to
analyse results and
provide
recommendations
Set-up a focus group to
analyse results and
provide
recommendations
Website
Research and Pilot
Development of the
website
Set-up a focus group to
analyse results and
provide
recommendations
The Haven – well
being and therapy
centre
Meet with stake-holders
and interested parties to
develop the idea
Write content
Launch website
Update website content
and directory entries
Review website with
user-survey
Write and develop a
detailed project plan,
identify a building and
fundraise
launch The Haven
monitor by focus group
to analyse results and
provide
recommendations
Networking forum
Attend quarterly
networking meetings
Contribute to agenda
Consider developing
new projects in
partnership
Increase the number of
organisations in
partnership
develop new projects in
partnership
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Organisation Chart
Trustees
Project Manager
Diocese of Leicester
P
Arts Manager
Other Partner Organisations
Physical Resources
and Personnel
Volunteers
Trustees
SoundCafeLeicester is governed by a board of Trustees who all act on a voluntary basis. The
Trustees between them have over 30 years of experience of working in the not-for-profit sector in a
variety of settings. Trustees have experience of health & safety, running charities, providing advice
and support services for homeless and vulnerable adults, financial and educational management.
Volunteers
Volunteers come from the local community and further afield. The volunteers will provide
befriending and practical support to the SC guests. Volunteers with skills in the arts, music,
literacy and professional qualifications will also be specially recruited to help with the day to day
running of SCL café sessions and the choir.
Evidence of Need
National landscape
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The proportion of homeless people in England reporting some form of physical and mental
health problem is at least double that of the general population.
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Over 15% of respondents with physical health needs reported not receiving help, whilst
17.5% of those with mental health issues and 16.7% with alcohol issues would like support
but are not receiving it
7 in 10 homeless people suffer from one or more physical health problem, and an even
higher proportion report having a mental health issue. 41% of respondents reported having
a long-term physical health problem (28% amongst the general population)
45% had been diagnosed with a mental health condition (25%)
36% had taken drugs in the past month (5%)
Reported incidences of stomach conditions is five times higher in the homeless population,
and diagnosis of depression is more than 10 times higher
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35% do not eat at least two meals a day
Two-thirds consume more than the recommended amount of alcohol each time they drink
77% smoke
7% have been denied access to a dentist or GP
77 local authorities cut a total of £34m from their housing-related support budgets for
homeless individuals between 2010/11 and 2013/14 - a drop of 26 per cent.
In 2014, 112,070 people declared themselves homeless in England – a 26% increase in
four years
£7bn cut in housing benefit, welfare reforms and a huge lack of affordable housing
31% of homeless people on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) have been sanctioned, compared
to just 3% of typical claimants
Nearly a third of services report homeless people being sanctioned while facing poor
mental health, learning difficulties or substance misuse problems
The majority report clients being pushed into debt, food poverty and survival crime
Services report clients’ existing problems getting worse as a result of sanctions, with only a
minority being motivated by sanctions to find employment
Evidence of Need continued
Leicester Landscape
Leicester City Council have been reducing the funding for homelessness services since 2010, by
2015 this was due to result in an overall cut of 52%. The new LCC strategy on homelessness has
seen a reduction on the number of hostel beds by 50%, affecting young people, single homeless
people and families. Accommodation providers have already been hit by a funding cut with more
to come.
Previous provision
Current provision
Single people
129
45
Families
129
60
Young people (16-24)
139
64
Ex-offenders
46
30
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Move-on accommodation
133
155
In 2012 Leicester City Council conducted a review on homelessness services. The results showed
that:
 There is a 37% repeat homelessness rate
 Mental health affects 20% of the population
 Leicester is the fifth most deprived local authority in England, with 29% of the population
being economically inactive.
 Alcohol and drugs related hospital admissions are high, 26% of adult drug and alcohol
users, in treatment, have children living with them
 The average void rate in hostels and supported housing is 5.1%
 67% of clients stay in hostels between 28 days and 1 year
 There were 306 unplanned moves from hostels
 Hostels evicted 103 clients
 34% of planned moves were transfers to other hostels
 Leicester has a high level of deprivation, with household income, rates of pay and skills
levels, all below the regional and national averages.
 Three quarters of the people living in the city, live in deprived areas, with 5% of city wards
being amongst the most deprived in England.
 There is an unemployment rate of 12.5%.
 There are 12,879 JSA claimants in the city, with 55% of claimants aged between 35-49.
These are the highest rates in the East Midlands and also higher than the national average.
 Suicide rates are high
 Teenage pregnancy rates are higher than the national average
Culture within homelessness service
 Hostels often do not achieve positive changes for clients
 Many people had complex needs, were isolated and lonely, while others just needed a
home.
 Many clients in hostels are de-motivated and have low expectations
 People are institutionalised in some single hostels
There is limited choice of the type of accommodation available to homeless people
 when they first become homeless
 There is a lack of move-on accommodation
 There is a lack of affordable housing
Evidence of Need continued
Results from 2014 Client Survey conducted by ORL
 58% of respondents are living in temporary accommodation or vulnerably housed
 47% of respondents are not involved in any meaningful activity during the day due to lack of
provision
 31% of respondents do not receive support from their accommodation provider
 Of the 123 people who had rough slept in the past 58% had spent over one month on the
streets
 75% of those who are homeless or vulnerably housed visit Faith group provision to access
food, clothing, toiletries, support and advice.
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
Faith provision, whether it be accommodation, support or advice services rated the highest
of all services, Leicester City Council’s Housing Options received the lowest score
Social Purpose and Impact
Costs of homelessness:
A number of research studies estimate that the annual costs of homelessness range from £24,000
- £30,000 (gross) per person, anything up to circa £1bn (gross) annually.
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Homeless people cost the National Health Service £85 million a year and twice as many
are admitted to A&E compared to the general population. Health problems, in particular
mental health problems, substance misuse and alcohol dependency are more prevalent
among the homeless population, especially among rough sleepers.
In 2010-11 English local authorities’ expenditure on homelessness totalled almost £345m. Of this
around £100m for providing temporary accommodation and £70m on homelessness prevention.
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Monitoring and Evaluation
We will use standard project management & performance techniques to monitor the progress of
the project. The SCL trustees will set out the outcomes listed in the work plan against: Process
milestones, Output milestones and Impact measures against the dates set out in the application.
The client survey will use the nationally accepted Outcome Star to measure before and after
effects of clients’ contact with SCL.
SCL will attend regular meetings with all partners. This provides opportunity for the Project
Manager to Co-coordinate and report back and share information about progress and an
opportunity for all partners to monitor the on-going development of the project.
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SWOT analysis
Strengths
 Management Team/trustees highly experienced in service delivery
 Positive and professional standard of the Board.
 Strong relationship with different church groups in Leicester
 Highly experienced in partnership working
 Good understanding of homelessness issues
 Differs from other provision in that SCL guests live in the community, potentially with
support from local faith groups
 Support and advice offered by other organisations running similar or complimentary
accommodation projects in the Country – not re-inventing the wheel
 Project has the backing of the Diocese of Leicester
 SCL is in a partnership of different organisations working with homeless people
 Works with people of all faiths and none
 Mainly work with those who are socially isolated, hostel dwellers
Weaknesses
 SoundCafe Leicester is not yet a well-known ‘brand’ in Leicester and needs to raise its’
profile
Opportunities
 To give homeless people a voice via the choir and annual event at the Cathedral
 To ensure that SoundCafe improves its’ profile we are included in the ORL website
directory
 To promote the fact that taking part in music and the arts activities improve feelings of selfesteem and well-being which can assist a vulnerable adult to start making changes in their
lives
 To promote the fact that taking part in purposeful day time activities addresses an already
identified need across the city of Leicester
 To encourage faith groups and volunteers to support homeless and vulnerable adults
 To provide faith groups, organisations and individuals to invest in a new community
development
 To build relationships with local communities and groups
 Networking and working in partnership with a range of service providers
 Signposting to the support and advice to homeless people thereby accessing
accommodation, benefits, debt management and purposeful day time activities
 Providing volunteering opportunities to the general public
 Provide support to other organisations who help to alleviate poverty and support homeless
or socially isolated people
 To build an organisation which can potentially offer apprenticeships, adult literacy and other
training to homeless people and work-experience placements for students which can lead
to job opportunities
Threats
 Demand outstripping SCL’s capacity
 Lack of Financial security
 Perception of SCL and faith groups by other statutory and larger voluntary providers
 Perception that faith groups perpetuate homelessness and poverty
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Identified Risks
 Potential problem of volunteers moving on at short notice
 Potential problem of clients abusing or otherwise creating a crisis making SCL’s use of the
venue untenable
 Close monthly monitoring of the cash flow forecast will reveal variances.
Fundraising Plan
The fundraising plan outlines how SoundCafe Leicester will aim to secure £???k over three years
to cover the cost of running the projects outlined in this business plan.
Funds raised so far:
INFO £530
Diocese £2000
Individuals and Small funds fundraising efforts by volunteers, with much support from Groby
Sings £4500
West Leicester MP (in kind): admin and book-keeping support; supervision….
Fundraising for Shortfall.
The shortfall identified in the first three years will be met by the following:
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Grant and fund applications to large and national trusts
Applications to statutory bodies
Regular Concerts and Arts events, including appealing for sponsorship
Contacting and appealing to local donors
Gift Aid tax reclaim
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Three Year Forecast
SCL Cash Flow Forecast - Three years to March 2018
SUMMARY
Year to
31/3/16
Year to
31/3/17
Year to
31/3/18
Costs
£
£
£
General SCL running costs £100 pw, 41 weeks,
potential increasing number of sessions each year
4100
8000
10000
375
300
0
£15840
16160
16485
= 2%
increase
= 2%
increase
£8200
+2% =
£8364
+2% =
£8532
Supervision / Administration :
1,500
2,000
3,000
Professional Website / Computer Development
Up to
6,000
1,500
1,500
Events and Publicity
900
500
500
Mobile Phone & 12 month contract
300
600
600
Printing (£350) / Stationery (£150) / Postage costs (£250)/
Maintenance of Laptop (£200) / Photocopying (£100)
1,050
1200
1400
Travel and transport: volunteers 30 @£5 (bus fare) for 41
weeks £6150; freelance staff 2 @ 45 p per mile for in work
miles: 3 meetings pm, 6 miles, 10 months pa £162
6,312
6,630
7000
400
800
880
1700
1800
Recruitment
Project Manager 2 days (15 hours per week) @£22 ph =
£1320 pm, £15840 pa for first year (45 weeks pa)
Possibly increase hours in Year 2 22 hours pw @ £24=
£23760; and in Year 3 30 hours pw @ £25= £33750
Arts Manager 15 hours pw @ £200 per day including
travel costs (maximum 41 weeks per year = £8,200 pa)
Training and development: 2 freelance staff @ £200 per
course – 2 courses each per year
Reserves
Insurance
Venue Costs
Admin, postage,
steering group & volunteer support
TOTAL
Only one
staff in
year 1
£400
£1000
£200
1600
We have been advised to set aside a Reserve fund for
winding the charity up in the event of difficulties. We are
therefore reserving 3 months’ operating costs/ 2% of all
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funds raised in Year 1, 4 months’ operating costs/ 5% in
Year 2 and 6 months’ operating costs/ 8% in Year 3.
Total Costs
46,577
47,754
50,697
Grants
2000
5000
7500
Donations and Fundraising
3000
4500
6000
Total Income
5000
9500
13500
Total Surplus/Shortfall
41,577
38,254
37,197
Income
Agreed: Date17.08.15
To be reviewed by date:31.07.16
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