Case studies

ENABLED AND EMPOWERED I enjoy helping people and enjoy seeing them move from a bad position to a better position with or without my help. I am particularly interested in the empowerment of individuals rather than their enablement.  I saw a precious example of enablement in a client recently. I interviewed Harry earlier this month. … Read more

ALL THAT GLISTERS IS NOT GOLD (Not a typo but an old East End saying) The Supported Housing Regulatory Oversight Act 2023 gave the Secretary of State power to enforce licensing and standards in supported accommodation.  I noticed the effect of this act shortly after I started this role, some providers which we had used … Read more

I took a call during our homeless slot – 10am to 11am on Friday mornings – from a man who wanted accommodation for both himself and his wife. I advised that usually Manna helps single people – our providers seldom have vacancies for couples. I learned that his wife was pregnant and the Council had … Read more

A small proportion of the clients who attend Manna do not have regularized stay in the country. People who have overstayed or otherwise do not have a legitimate status in this country, will usually not be able to access benefits or social housing. Most councils have an NRPF team (No Recourse To Public Funds) but … Read more

Last year, I wrote about a client whom I named Ngor, a respectful, delightful person who made misguided and dangerous decisions at times – her issues were complex.  One day, towards the end of a Housing appointment, she handed me some letters from Bailiffs. It transpired that she had been stopped on London transport and … Read more

Whilst interviewing clients, they often tell me who directed them to Manna and it’s usually a good job that they were referred, when you see the impact, the Centre has on their lives.  Casey (not his real name) came to Manna as a Walk in (having no pre planned appointment). He was a little dejected. … Read more

“It’s good to talk” I can’t remember where I heard that phrase but that’s what led to a positive result for one of my clients. Before arriving at Manna, I was working at Age UK. I’m still in contact with my ex- colleagues there and they hadn’t heard of Manna and didn’t know what it … Read more

(Fictitious names have been used throughout to protect identities) I interviewed Ranco as a “Walk in” appointment. He was so, clean cut and well-presented that it was difficult to believe he was homeless until someone else later corroborated this fact. Ranco was Eastern European and had a weak grasp of English.  He said that he … Read more

I often think that working with clients to help them resolve an issue can be compared to opening a Matryoshka Doll Set- just as you take apart the first doll there is another inside it and so can it be with our clients who initially present one issue during an advice appointment,  but it is … Read more

Frequently I come across people who fall between the gaps of existing service provision and quite often these can be working people, which seems odd at first because having a job can be equated with a modicum of financial and material security. Sadly, some sections of the working populace can find that their job is … Read more