Oxfordshire Homeless Movement
Mayday Trust
Mayday Trust
PTS
Doesn't provide shelter
Provides guidance
Doesn't provide new skill learning
Doesn't accept time
Doesn't accept things
Doesn't accept money
Service Type
Other support services
Service Description
Mayday Trust's extensive research shows that many people find it extremely difficult to break the pattern of homelessness. The cycle can feel disrespectful and dehumanising, and people often feel trapped in services.
The PTS is a new person-led approach to working with people’s strengths and ambitions. It focuses on achievement and assets so that people can begin to rebuild motivation and gain evidence of their own strengths. It is a truly personalised approach where the individual decides the direction of travel.
The PTS coach is constantly on hand, but it is the person they are helping who leads the decision making. The PTS is not a floating support or signposting service. It is designed so that people can begin to identify the factors holding them back from making positive progress and make the necessary changes so that opportunity and options are improved.
The PTS is an alternative to the more traditional risk-and-needs-led support services. It focuses on people's strengths, their talent and ambition. It helps them discover their identity by shifting focus away from their weaknesses.
This is NOT just a new service delivery model, a new toolkit, or a best practice model - it is a whole system approach designed to put the person in charge of their destiny. It increases people's potential to move away from the deficit service-led environment which can often prevent them from moving on positively and sustaining meaningful change.
Key functions & activities offered
- A highly personalised service designed and shaped by the individual
- Access to new ways of thinking, new opportunity, and improved choice
- Activities within the community, including training, employment, volunteering, and education
- Personal budgets designed to fulfil personal ambition
- One-to-one coaching provision at a time and place suitable to the individual
- A focus on building positive networks
The PTS Coach
- The coach makes contact and arranges to meet up. These meetings are rarely in hostels, accommodation or offices, but out in the community.
- The coach provides information on what the PTS can offer and explains how and why this is different from traditional-based support.
- The coach will not focus on risk but will learn from the person what they believe they need to keep themselves safe.
- The coach will not try to fix the person’s needs - that is down to the individual. However, if the person wants to discuss anything, the coach can arrange real-world conversation so the individual can make decisions relative to their circumstances.
- Personal asset development is an important part of PTS. This is a unique evidenced-based tool designed to show the individual their positive progress over time. It requires the completion of a brief survey every three months. From this work the person is able to assess their strengths and areas requiring improvement.
- The PTS can remain in place via the coach for as long as the person chooses. That could mean weeks, months, or even years - it only ends when the person wants it to end.
- The coaching team are trained to understand that although people’s lives can be complex, that doesn't necessarily mean they have complex needs. Coaches work within a reflective practice model, are trauma informed, and work autonomously in the community.
What a person can expect from working with a PTS Coach
- Coaching - inspirational asset coaches develop strong and trusting relationships with people, build on what is strong, and facilitate individual progression.
- Brokering - linking people with a range of opportunities within their communities, to help them identify their aspirations and purpose and gain practical evidence that they can succeed. This helps them rebuild their identity.
- Building positive networks - volunteers work with individuals to connect with other individuals and organisations in the local community, developing new friendships and positive attachments.