Annual Report 2007PORTRAIT

PAUL & AJADI TSAHAI & RACHEL

TSAHAI & RACHEL

OUR MISSIONIS TO ENABLE THOSEWITH PARTICULAR NEEDSTO LIVE ORDINARYLIVES WITHIN THECOMMUNITY.

Foreword by Victoria Stark CBE 2Foreword by Heather Barker 3Overview of Look Ahead 4Look Ahead’s services by borough 7New services 1 0New capital developments 1 2Healthy living 1 6The arts programme 2 1Facts and figures 2 7Funders and supporters 32Board of management 3 4Financial summary 3 5

Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. Registration number: 21004R

CONTENTSPORTRAITSJo 5Shi 6Katie 8Nidrah 13Richard 14Ashley 18Jackie 19Michael 23Keith & Deborah 24Yonathan 26Barry 29Paulo 30Phillip 36

FOREWORD VICTORIA STARK THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY EXCITING AT LOOK AHEAD.

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As always, our customer involvement programme has been top of our list of priorities. Its achievementswere publicly recognised when we won the AndyLudlow Homelessness Award 2006. I was particularlyproud of the residents who gave the final presentationand whose moving words and professionalismundoubtedly gave us the winning edge.

We were also shortlisted for the HousingCorporation’s Gold Award 2007, in the EmpoweringCommunities category. Although we did not win, I was overwhelmed by the efforts of staff and hostelresidents who worked together to showcase ourhostel communities to the panel of judges.

Our achievements in these awards have beenmirrored by our successes in the area of newbusiness. We have focussed our attention onservices for young people and people with learningdisabilities as well as floating support services – allareas where we have a great deal of existingknowledge and expertise. Our commitment toexcellence and to meeting customer need has beenrecognised with a number of new contracts,enabling us to increase our workforce and moreimportantly, to support even greater numbers ofvulnerable people.

Our hostels continue to be beacons of excellence as was shown in our Cathy Come Home anniversaryopen day event. This event demonstrated just howfar accommodation and service provision forhomeless people has improved and developed inthe past 40 years.

Visits by government minister Yvette Cooper, theAudit Commission’s chief inspector of housing, Roy Irwin, and many delegates from home andabroad have also reinforced just how innovative our services are.

The challenge and pleasure derived from workingwith vulnerable people with vastly differing supportneeds never ceases to inspire me. Seeing people’slives transformed as a result of the services LookAhead provides, motivates everyone at Look Aheadto achieve greater successes in the coming year.

Victoria Stark CBE, Chief Executive

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FOREWORD HEATHER BARKERAS AN ORGANISATION, LOOK AHEAD SEEKS TO MEET THE NEEDS OFOUR CUSTOMERS AND BELIEVES THAT WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY,NOTHING LESS THAN THE BEST WILL DO.

This can only be achieved through continuousimprovement in the services we deliver and bylooking at new and innovative ways of working. The Look Ahead Board is focussed on consolidatingand expanding these aims, and as we move into the future, I believe our experience and theorganisation’s sound financial base will continue to support this growth.

Look Ahead’s staff are key to meeting our objectives.Wherever I go, across the organisation, I am alwaysimpressed by the extraordinary commitment, careand enthusiasm they show, whatever their role maybe. Their dedication has led to a successful andrewarding year for Look Ahead and has helped us tobuild on the successes of the previous years as well asdeveloping for the future.

Critical to success is also the involvement of ourcustomers in all aspects of our work – from auditingour services to being involved in staff appointments.We were delighted that this work was rewardedthrough the Andy Ludlow Award which recognisedhow Look Ahead enable and empower ourcustomers to be involved on an ‘equal footing’.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank myfellow Board members for their hard work andsupport throughout the year. Their time, skills and contributions are greatly valued.

Heather Barker, Chairman

OVERVIEW OF LOOK AHEAD

By providing them with a place to call home andwith tailored support, we enable people to feelsecure and to see a future. Often for the first time.

We work with people who are amongst society’smost vulnerable, and whose lives can be verychaotic. At Look Ahead, we treat every one of themas an individual. We believe that regardless of theirpast, everyone has a right to be treated with dignity,to play an active part in their local community and to live an independent life.

We work in partnership with 24 local authorities andprimary care trusts to meet the housing and care needsof their local residents. Last year we supported over5000 people. Amongst them were:

• Young people, care leavers, teenage parents• People with mental health needs• People with learning disabilities• Homeless families, single homeless people and

rough sleepers• Women and children fleeing domestic violence• People with substance misuse issues• People with offending histories.

With over 50 separate accommodation-basedsupport, floating and outreach services, we offersupport to people around:

• Preventing repeat homelessness through tenancy sustainment

• Seeking specialist support for drug and alcohol issues

• Mental health needs• Managing money and accessing benefits• Finding meaningful occupation and developing

social networks• Accessing education, employment and training

and activities in the local community.

We aim to enable the homeless and socially excludedpeople we support, to transform their lives in positiveways, and in doing so, empower them to play avaluable part in their local community.

EACH WEEK, LOOK AHEAD SUPPORT NEARLY 3250 PEOPLE ACROSSLONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST. PEOPLE, WHO WITHOUT OURSUPPORT, MIGHT BE LIVING ON THE STREETS, OR STRUGGLING TOCOPE WITH DAILY LIFE.

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PHILLIP

1 Simmone and Kate (staff)with residents Jade andSarah, from one of ouryoung people’s schemesfollowing giving apresentation to theBromley SupportingPeople Forum.

2 Eddie receives floatingsupport services from ourNewham SupportedLiving Service in eastLondon.

Filthy Rich & Homeless reality TV programme participant, Tom (left), photographed during filming at Aldgate hostel.

Jo was featured in the BBC 3 reality programme, Filthy Rich & Homeless, screened in May 2007. She receives support at her hostel around her substance misuse issues. JO

Shi attends the weekly computer class at her hostel. She also takes a very active role in the cookeryclass held every Friday.SHI

Newham

GreenwichHounslow

WandsworthRichmondLewisham

Haringey

Hackney

TowerHamlets

Barnet

Harrow

Brent

Ealing

Hill

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on

Windsor & Maidenhead

BracknellForest

Spel

thor

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Elmbridge

Slough

Enfield

Thurrock

Camden

Islington

Southwark

Lambeth

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Bexley

BromleyCroydon

Merton

King

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Redbridge

Hav

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BarkingWal

tham

For

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Sutton

ELMBRIDGE

Ex-offenders

Young people

RICHMOND

Ex-offenders

EALING

Floating support

Single homelessTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepersYoung people

HARROW

Floating supportTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

BRENT

Floating support

KENSINGTON & CHELSEA

Floating support

Learning disability

Mental health

Single homeless

Substance misuseTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

BARKING & DAGENHAM

Homeless families

Mental health

Single homeless

NEWHAM

HIV

Learning disability

Mental healthPersonality disorder

Single homeless

Substance misuseTeenage mothers and babiesTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepersYoung people

HOUNSLOW

Floating supportTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

BRACKNELL FOREST

Single homeless

Young people

SLOUGH

Domestic violence

Single homeless

HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM

Floating support

Mental health

Substance misuseTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

SUTTON/SURREY

Domestic violence

Young people

BROMLEY

Ex-offenders

Teenage mothersand babiesYoung people

THURROCK

Floating support

Young people

TOWER HAMLETS

Floating support

Learning disability

Mental health

Single homeless

Substance misuseTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepersYoung people

WALTHAM FOREST

Tenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

SOUTHWARK

Young people

WESTMINSTER

Domiciliary care service

Learning disability

Mental health

Registered care home

Rough sleepers

Single homeless

Young people

HILLINGDON

Floating support

Mental healthTenancy sustainmentfor rough sleepersRough sleepers

WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD

Floating support

Homeless families

Young people

CURRENT LOOK AHEAD SERVICESLOOK AHEAD’S SERVICES BY BOROUGH 7

Resource centres and IT facilities at our schemes play a valuable part in assisting residents to apply for jobs, bid for housing and maintain contact with family and friends.

KATIEFLOATING SUPPORT

I had a really happy family life until I became a teenager.Mental health problems run in the family and at 13 I wasdiagnosed with depression. My mum and I kept falling out and it all came to a head when I was 16 when shethrew me out. My nan took me in and I stayed with herwhile I finished school.

I did move back home and at first mum and I got on, but then it went back to how it was before, and shethrew me out again. I was 18. I couldn’t go back to mynan’s because she wasn’t well. I ended up movingaround between friends – but there are only so manyfriends you can stay with.

Eventually I spoke to a woman from Open Door. Shetook me to the council office and made them find mesomewhere. The only place they had was a B&B inBarking. It had a curfew and my room was tiny. It was a shock to the system. I had no money and didn’t knowanyone there.

I lived there for a few months, then in a hostel in Graysand then in a shared rented flat. While I was at the B&B, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For five months Iwent to the mental health recovery unit at Basildonhospital three days a week. Being diagnosed helpedexplain the troubles I had with my mum, but I overdosedthree times that year.

At the unit they taught me useful coping mechanisms.When I had to stop going, I was really worried aboutcoping on my own but since last November, I’ve receivedfloating support from Look Ahead.

My support worker, Rose, has been brilliant. It’s so nice to know I can ring her and she’ll come round. She understands my depression and knows what she’sdealing with. With her help, I’ve stopped self-harming. I used to do that pretty badly and I wasn’t taking mymedication properly but I am now.

I see Rose at least once or twice a week and I speak to hera lot on the phone as well. How often I see her dependson what mood I’m in – whether I’m up or down. She hasalso helped me sort stuff out like if things go wrong in theflat, or with my benefits.

In April 2007, I moved into the flat I’m in now. It’s just astudio flat but it’s really nice, and in the past few monthsI’ve started talking to my mum again. Now we’re not ineach others faces, we don’t argue like we did. Things arebetter because we know what’s wrong with me. I did missmy mum a lot when I didn’t see her.

Now, life is going really well. I’ve not been in hospital for a year and I’ve been with my partner for nearly a year now.He lives in London and he’s my rock.

I’m really excited because Rose helped me fill out anapplication form for college, and yesterday I got offered a place! I’m going to start a one year access course inSeptember, and hopefully I’ll go on to university. I wouldlike to be an English teacher.

I had to drop out of my A-levels because I couldn’t cope,and I worry that I’ll have the same problems at college butnow I know I can call Rose, and she’ll help sort me out. If itwasn’t for the support I’ve had, I wouldn’t be doing any of this. I dread to think where I’d be.

Look Ahead’s floating support services enable people of all ages, with a wide range of needs, to maintain their independence in their own homes. The flexible nature of the support offered means that assistance can be stepped up, or down, according to the individual’s needs. Katie,a 19 year-old from Essex, receives support from our new Thurrock floating support service.

Katie now lives independently in a village near Thurrock in the Thames Gateway.

NEW SERVICESTHE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN AN EXCITING AND BUSY ONE,WITH EIGHT BRAND NEW SERVICES LAUNCHED AND OTHERS,SUBSTANTIALLY EXPANDED.

We opened our first project in Essex, where we have taken over a service for single homeless peopleincluding young people at risk. Brooke House islocated in Grays, Thurrock, and providesaccommodation-based services for 10 people. A floating support outreach service supports a further25 people to live independently in the borough.Support is offered in a flexible way, enabling us torespond quickly to the differing and sometimescomplex needs of this vulnerable client group.

In east London our long running Intensive CommunitySupport Service (ICSS), based in Bethnal Green, hasbeen renamed. In December 2006, customers wereconsulted about the name change and there was anoverwhelming response. One name however said,very simply, what the customers want from using theservice – independence. The new name, IndependentLiving Community Support (ILCS) was born and theservice was formally relaunched in June 2007.

We have also recently taken over the support servicepackage at Caplin House, in Tower Hamlets. Thisservice, which opened in June 2007, is an eight bedaftercare service for men returning to the boroughwho have addressed previous drug and/or alcohol

problems and who are now abstinent. Support is offered around relapse prevention, skillsdevelopment and tenancy sustainment.

In south London, we built and launched a newproject at Thicket Road, Bromley. The project, whichopened in July 2006, accommodates seven youngpeople aged 16-19, in fully furnished flats. Theresidents are single homeless people and careleavers who require medium support before theymove on to fully independent accommodation.

In Southwark, we launched a pilot project inpartnership with Southwark council. Located at our Gateway foyer and launched in October 2006,the service is called the Brief Intervention Project. It provides specialist support to young people, aged 16-17, who have become estranged from their families and as a result have become homeless.They move into the foyer for a maximum six weekstay. During this time experienced interventionprofessionals work with the individual and theirfamily, aiming to resolve the problems that have led to their homelessness. Where appropriate, the young person is supported to move back to the family home. Early results are very promising,

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1 Residents had awonderful time at theopen day event heldat Luton Road inSeptember 2006.

2 Last summer, Olympicmedallist Marcus Adamattended a healthy livingevent in east London,organised for residentsfrom a number of projectsin the area.

with 39% being positively reconnected with theirfamily, against a target of 20%.

Our floating support services across west Londonhave also grown considerably.

In the borough of Kensington & Chelsea, werelaunched our floating support scheme workingwith homeless people from the borough. Theservice supports 32 people, providingaccommodation, support, advice and assistance tohelp tenants maintain their tenancies.

Our largest new service - the West London FloatingSupport Service - is a unique partnership betweenseven London boroughs and is part of the nationalSupporting People Value Improvement Programme(as is the Thurrock project, described previously).Jointly funded by the seven boroughs, the service is available across Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith &Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Hillingdon andKensington & Chelsea. The service offers 322 hoursof support per week to single homeless people withadditional support needs.

Most recently, in July 2007, we launched theHammersmith & Fulham Supported Living Project

(HFSL) . HFSL provides support for up to 45 peopleaged 18 to 80, who have a learning disability andare in housing need.

We have also expanded our accommodation-basedservices in west London and the south west.

In west London, we were commissioned by theLondon Borough of Hillingdon to assist them with a major modernisation programme of their mentalhealth services. Look Ahead now providesaccommodation and support to a total of 54 singlepeople, aged 18-65, with mental health needs infour locations in the borough. Floating support isprovided for an additional 28 people. Staff workwith each resident individually to help them sustaintheir tenancy, to get involved in the community andto manage their health needs.

And finally, moving further west, Admel House, adetached house and bungalow in Windsor, providessupported accommodation for eight at risk youngpeople.

1 Bevan House residentsand staff enjoyed theparty held in December2006 to celebrate the one year anniversary ofthe scheme opening.

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399 NEW SERVICE USERS8 NEW CONTRACTS AWARDED

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NEW CAPITAL DEVELOPMENTS

With a number of projects currently in development and at planning stage, 2008 willcertainly be a busy year.

Look Ahead’s first self-contained accommodationwas Mary Jones House in Tower Hamlets whichopened in 1982 and comprised 45 flats. The building will be demolished and rebuilt to providepurpose-built accommodation for 20 people withlearning disabilities.

In Newham another existing scheme, the FlyingAngel, will be remodelled to form a new mixed development of approximately 62 units to be split equally between keyworkeraccommodation and supported housing. We alsoplan to have artists studios on the ground floor tocreate a mixed community based on the New YorkTimes Square model.

We have several refurbishment projects due forcompletion in 2007. Mabley Court in Bracknell was a registered care home, but will very shortly

be reopened as six self-contained flats forvulnerable young people who need support to live independently.

We have virtually refurbished all our sharedproperties, and 2007/08 will see several morebeing replaced with self-containedaccommodation. In Cudworth Street, BethnalGreen, we are refurbishing 23 units which, oncecomplete, will house people with mental healthneeds and learning disabilities.

PHILLIP

1 The landmark Flying Angelbuilding will soon becompletely redeveloped tocreate an innovative mixed use scheme.

2 Look Ahead’s building andmaintenance contractorsare expected to work tothe highest possible qualitystandards.

An image of Whitechapel Market, taken by Aldgate hostel resident Mark Felix.

IN RECENT YEARS, LOOK AHEAD HAS COMPLETED A NUMBER OF HIGHQUALITY, NEW DEVELOPMENTS. THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A PERIOD OFCONSOLIDATION AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

Nidrah is currently studying textiles at the Ideas Store. She has also completed our customertraining course and takes part in staff recruitment interview panels. NIDRAH

RICHARDHOSTELS

I was born in 1969. My dad was an RAF pilot. I come from a big family and had an idyllic childhood. I was anacademic over-achiever, winning a scholarship toboarding school.

Then at 18, I started having emotional problems. I went toImperial College to study computer science but droppedout after two terms. My life started going through a cyclewhere, due to one thing or another happening, I wouldfall apart, ending up on the streets.

The first time I was in Jersey. I tried to commit suicide and spent three months in a psychiatric unit. I came backto England and got a job, but pretty quickly life felt like an impossible mountain to climb. Rather than speaking to family about it, I went off and ended up sleeping rough.

Eventually I came out of the depression and spent a fewyears working. I also met a girl and spent three years withher. That was a happy time of my life. We split up when Iwas 28, it hit me hard and again I ended up sleeping rough.

Two or three years went by, I had a job and I was doingreally well. I even got married but my wife left me, leavingme with all of our debts, rent and bills which I couldn’tpay alone. I ended up sleeping rough again, this time in London. I got into trouble and spent time in prison. At the end of my sentence I was back on the streets again.That was in February 2006, at which point I moved intoAldgate hostel.

From that moment, I got involved in loads of stuff. I did a self-esteem course, I ran the coffee shop, I got involvedwith the board advisory panel and the policy review group.I did a Video Nation diary and other things for the BBC. I got involved in the Andy Ludlow Awards which won£10,000 for Look Ahead - that really made me feel good. I also did staff recruitment panels. I loved doing them.

It meant I was actually doing something real, that made a difference.

I was fine up until Christmas, but in January 2007 I started a job and I couldn’t cope with the stress. Rather than tryingto deal with it, I went off and slept on the Strand for a nightor two. Petria, a member of staff, realised I had gone,contacted me and made me come back. I went to thedoctors and they gave me antidepressants, which I’dalways pooh-poohed before.

I now feel much more balanced and find it much easier to cope with the little things. On May 28th 2007, I movedout of the hostel, into a flat. I’ve bought some bits for itand I’ve joined a library. My friend Jackie, who I met at thehostel, comes over to visit. Work is the next thing I need inmy life now; it would give me extra money and a chanceto make new friendships.

I’m back in contact with my family; we keep in touch byemail. While I was sleeping rough, I was out of contactwith them for two to three years at a time. I love my daddearly but we have very different approaches to life.

Why I slept on the streets was because I couldn’t cope withbills, or any kind of stress. Being on the streets for mewasn’t stressful. I never drank or took drugs. I was basicallyon the streets because I couldn’t cope with real life.

I’ve been very lucky getting help from Look Ahead and I’ve got a wide group of people to thank - my oldkeyworker Paul, and Petria in skills development inparticular. If I hadn’t had Petria, and didn’t get themedication, I think I would still be sleeping rough. But lots of people made me feel like I was making a difference. They made me feel like I was a person.They saw the person in me, not just my problems.

I now feel like I’ve got direction. I definitely see happytimes ahead.

Homeless people and rough sleepers are often assumed to have drug and alcohol problems, pooreducations or difficult family backgrounds. For many however, none of these issues are factors intheir homelessness. Richard, an ex-resident of our Aldgate hostel tells his story.

Aldgate hostel provides accommodation and support services to 158 single homeless people, including a 14-bed substancemisuse unit.

HEALTHY LIVING

People sleeping rough have a rate of physical healthproblems that is two or three times greater than inthe general population. Also, according to researchfigures, homeless young men aged 16 to 29 have adeath risk 40 times the national average.

It is for this reason that Look Ahead has launched a healthy living campaign, designed to improve the health and wellbeing of all our customers. Staffassist customers to sign up with GPs and to accessappropriate health care services. We work closelywith partner agencies on the provision of TBscreening; to provide needle exchange at ourAldgate and Victoria hostels as well as hepatitisscreening and general health advice.

Customers and staff alike are being encouraged toimprove their exercise levels and physical activity - in keeping with the government and NHSrecommendations for healthy living. Promotingawareness of local sports facilities and classes, andencouraging participation has been one of our mainfocuses. However, incorporating exercise and healthyliving practices into the day-to-day activities of ourcustomers, is the key to long term health benefits.

Our small sports grants help to fund many suchactivities. Applications have this year enabled anindividual to participate in a weightlifting competitionand another to complete a swimming teachingcertificate. It has also enabled groups of residents togo fishing, cycling, play tennis, attend self-defenceand badminton classes. Equipment that can be usedlong term – such as exercise mats, fitness DVDs andan exercise bike – have also been paid for.

The small sports grant is funded through thesponsorship of staff and residents taking part inorganised sports activities. On 1st July 2007, a team of12 members of staff ran the British 10k London Runraising money for the small sports grants. The run wasfollowed by a healthy living lunch for both runners andsupporters at our Kean Street project in Covent Garden.

Kean Street, a registered care home for 31 peoplewith severe and enduring mental health needs, has been one of the pioneers of our healthy livingcampaign. Back in April 2005, staff introduced aprogramme they called ‘food for mood.’ Theirnutritionally balanced menus saw dramatic benefitsto behaviour, mood, activity levels and weight loss.

GOVERNMENT STATISTICS SHOW THAT HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE FARMORE LIKELY TO BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY ILL THAN THEREST OF THE POPULATION.

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1 Healthy eating and the provision of healthyfood options is beingchampioned at all of our schemes.

1 Twelve staff ran the British10k London Run in June,generously raising fundsfor our small sports grant.

2 Gateway foyer beat offstrong competition from 13 other teams from acrossthe organisation to win thisyear’s football tournament.

1st July 2007 was also a significant date in our healthy living diary as it saw the introduction of thegovernment’s new no smoking legislation. This hasbeen widely promoted throughout Look Ahead.Both residents and staff have been encouraged toview it as an opportunity to cut down, or better still,give up smoking all together.

Our annual football tournament was relaunched inAugust 2007. Organised this year in partnershipwith Aquaterra Leisure, we have been working toset in place stakeholder sponsorship and match-funding from the Football Association. This willensure that the tournament can be guaranteed forthe next three years. If the match-funding grantfrom the FA is secured, we will also be able toemploy a part-time sports and healthy living workerlater in the year. It will be their job to promote sportsactivities and help clients across the organisation toaccess coaching and sports facilities.

On a more local level, the Westminster Foundationhas provided five years funding for the creation of a new part-time post, specifically to promote healthin the borough of Westminster. Our new healthy

living coordinator commenced in March 2007, and works across a number of Look Ahead servicesincluding two hostels and four projects for peoplewith mental health needs.

With the involvement of residents, chefs and facilitiesmanagers, the first big task of our healthy livingcoordinator was to review and develop our cateringservices provided in the borough. The use of moreorganic and fresh local produce is now beingchampioned. We are also developing new seasonalmenus that meet both residents’ cultural andnutritional needs. These will ultimately be collated intoa healthy recipe book to be made available to all of ourcustomers. Nutritional information about each dishwill be given, enabling our customers to cook healthiermeals themselves, increasing their independence andawareness and knowledge of nutrition.

Look Ahead’s new intranet, launched in June 2007,is already proving an invaluable tool for sharing theinformation and benefits of our healthy livingcampaign across the organisation.

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“I have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and interest in healthy eatingthat your service users have shown over the past year or so. I feel it has made a very positive contribution to their wellbeing and health in general. There have been some remarkable examples of appropriate weight loss and a generalre-awakening in the approach to eating sensibly and healthily.”

Dr ROM Naidoo, GP, Westminster

ASHLEYYOUNG PEOPLE

My parents divorced soon after I was born, but I had a happy childhood, living with my dad and one of mysisters in Bracknell. As a teenager, I decided to move to my mum’s to try to rebuild bridges with her. Thingsdidn’t work out though and at 16, she kicked me out. I went back to my dad’s, but when he remarried, I movedout and with nowhere else to go, ended up sofa surfingfor a few months at friends’ houses. I tried to patchthings up with my mum and dad but when I was 19, Iwas kicked out again and ended up sleeping rough forabout a week in Basingstoke.

My aunt came to my rescue. She took me back to her’sbut because she had no spare rooms, I had to live in a tentin her back garden. It was then that I was put in touch withREAP – the Reading Emergency Accommodation Project.Within a few weeks I had been referred to RainforestWalk and was given a one-bed flat.

When I was offered the flat, I jumped at it and was on mybest behaviour, but very soon I was getting in trouble withthe police. I used to drink a lot and I’d get drunk and endup being arrested. I got done for criminal damage – takingmy frustration out on windows and letting off fireextinguishers and stuff. For six months, on and off, Iwould try to get back on track, but then something wouldhappen that would send me off the rails again.

I was on the verge of being evicted but at Christmas time,Lucy moved in to Rainforest Walk and everythingchanged. She’s my girlfriend now and she got me to calmdown. I still have my moments but I think before I act now,and life finally makes sense.

The staff here also helped me. They believed in me andgave me a second chance. They got me to go to Cascadewhere I dealt with my drinking and anger problems. I onlyhave appointments with them once every two weeks nowand I never drink to excess any more. Staff have alsohelped me to look for a job. I used to work at a sportscentre and I’d like to become a personal trainer, but fornow I’m working about four days a week for my uncle’sremovals company.

I’m back speaking to my dad now. We get on much betterwith me living away. He pops to mine for a coffee and achat and I speak really regularly to my aunt; it’s greatbecause she only lives two minutes away from here.

Our flats are nice, they’re very spacious, but I hope tomove out of here pretty soon, if I keep doing what I’mdoing now. Lucy’s moving out to a new flat soon. I want to move close to her because she’s good for me.

Ashley is 20 years old. He has lived at Rainforest Walk, Bracknell, a supported housing projectfor 20 vulnerable young people, for a year.

When Ashley moved in his behaviour was destructive and aggressive and his eviction at onestage seemed inevitable. But, with the support of his girlfriend and project staff, he hastransformed himself into a relaxed young man, destined for a happier future.

Rainforest Walk provides accommodation in self-contained studio flats to 20 young people who require support to liveindependently.

Jackie will soon be moving into independent accommodation and would like to trainto be a nurse. JACKIE

THE ARTS PROGRAMME

At a time when young people in general arereceiving adverse media attention, it is particularlyrefreshing to highlight the really positive and uniqueactivities that have been achieved in our three yearlong youth arts programme. During the past year,we have worked with East London Dance, NordenFarm Centre for the Arts, South Hill Park, TateModern and the Whitechapel Gallery. The three year programme celebrated its conclusion with acelebration at the Coliseum, which showcased thework of the artists and participants and saw thelaunch of a new publication, documenting the entire three year programme.

Future projects for young people will incorporatethe new nationwide youth arts accreditationscheme, The Arts Award. Similar in style and aimsto the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, it provides anopportunity for participants to gain a recognisedaccreditation which can lead to an NVQ. ThreeLook Ahead staff have so far trained successfully to become Arts Award advisors, and we are puttingfunding in place to enable a new accredited youtharts programme to start in autumn 2007.

Look Ahead has an increasing reputation for itsdiverse and high quality programme of public art.Each of the four commissions completed this yearhad steering groups made up of Look Aheadcustomers and staff, local authority arts officers and arts professionals who ensured that everyaspect of each commission was considered.

Our public art commissions have seen impressivelevels of participation from our customers. Theyhave been involved in selecting the artists; visitingartists’ studios and inspirational buildings; andviewing other public art commissions with theartists, to help them learn more about the processof commissioning art works.

Lothar Goetz’s colourful new work Zig Zag, sited in the communal area of Coventry Road, a project for people with mental health needs, and SeamusStaunton’s sculpture, the Earls Court Loop, atPrincess Beatrice House, a hostel for homelesspeople, have been completed to great acclaim.Whilst at Campbell Road, a project for youngpeople with high support needs, the residentswere involved in a series of successful workshops

THE LOOK AHEAD ARTS PROGRAMME HAS HAD A VERY BUSY YEAR.FOUR PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS AND SIX YOUTH ARTS PROJECTSHAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.

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Richard Woods’ spectacular art commission Floral Repeat No 19 2007, covers the full height of the side wall of Mabley Court in Bracknell.

1 Artist Deborah Jaffé ran a series of workshopsexploring a variety of artmediums with residentsfrom schemes inBracknell.

2 Zig Zag by artist LotharGoetz was much admiredat its first public viewing in April 2007.

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with artist Ella Gibbs, concentrating on improvingthe space and environment in which they live. Finally,the installation of Richard Woods’ new work inBracknell is exciting real interest within the borough,and beyond.

Look Ahead's own small arts grant has been regularlyused to fund small local projects and activities, includingarts workshops and ‘go and see’ days out to galleries. It has also supported a group of residents with learningdisabilities involvement in the New London Orchestra'sproject, Newham Welcomes the World, which theyperformed at the ExCel Centre in July.

These activities illustrate the key aims of the artsprogramme: to improve the local environment;to encourage participation including communityintegration; and to provide real opportunities forskills development and learning. It is also importantto recognise and value the essential role LookAhead staff play in involving our customers, and in encouraging our residents to use the artsorganisations we work with as a local resource.

All of our arts projects rely on substantial charitablefunding and the strong working relationships we

form with our arts partners. These relationships arean essential ingredient to each project’s success.

Look Ahead has for many years been an organisationthat recognises the value of a well designedenvironment and the benefit of customers engagingwith artists. As Katrina Duncan, external evaluator forthe youth arts programme says in her 2005-06 report:“What is noteworthy is that Look Ahead policyrecognises the arts as a vital component in a holisticapproach to the development of all its customers.”

For more information about our arts programme,please contact the arts programme manager on0207 368 4663.

1 Whitechapel Gallery andLook Ahead commissionedartist Gino Saccone toundertake a six monthresidency at Bayswaterhostel. It proved to be a fascinating social andartistic exchange betweenresidents and artist.

2 The Earls Court Loopsculpture formed a centralpart of the refurbishmentand improvement of thereception area at PrincessBeatrice House.

A detail of the Earls Court Loop sculpture by artist Seamus Staunton.

Michael has turned his life around since coming to Aldgate Hostel. He has completeda range of training courses, has undertaken a work placement and created a VideoNation video diary for a BBC feature on homelessness. He has re-established links withhis children and has recently gained full-time employment as a support worker.MICHAEL

KEITH & DEBORAHLEARNING DISABILITY

My name is Deborah. I am 49 years old. I have two brothers and a sister, called Rosie. I’ve lived at Luton Roadfor two years; I moved in when my mum died.

I’ve got my own flat. I like to cook using the microwaveoven. Staff help me with my shopping, they take me in a cab to Morrisons and back.

I go to a day centre on Mondays and Tuesdays to see myfriends. On Wednesdays I go to college. I learn writingand computers there. On Fridays I do my washing. Staffhelp me to hang it on the line, but I do my own ironing.Saturday is my cleaning day, I like to do my own cleaningand I make my bed every day. On Sundays, my sisterbrings me a roast dinner over.

Once a week we do the gardening here, looking after the plants and watering it all. We also have parties andmusic when it’s someone’s birthday. The day before mybirthday in July, we went to see Rod Stewart in concert.He was fantastic. When I’m 50, I want to have a big limofor ten of my friends, all girls. We’re all going to drivearound. It’ll be fun!

Luton Road is located in Plaistow, east London. It is a supported living project for 11 adults with learning difficulties, who havea variety of support needs including communication difficulties and personal care.

I am 63. I went blind in 1974 and I moved to Luton Road in September 1999.

Where I was previously, I couldn’t do much but here I’msupported to do things for myself. I feel more independentand it’s much better. I feel very happy living here.

When I need new clothes, my keyworker takes me to theshops and helps me to choose. They also help me cook and clean and do my ironing, but I dress myself, do all myown washing and I put it in the drier.

I hadn’t seen my sister for 44 years but a member of staffwrote a letter to the Salvation Army for me, and theymanaged to trace her. Last year, in July, my sister came tosee me and cooked me dinner. I was so happy to see heragain. Now she phones me every Sunday and I’m goingto stay with her when it’s my niece’s birthday. It will bethe fifth time I’ve been to stay with her.

In August, I’m going on holiday to Cornwall with anotherresident from here. We’re going for a week. We’verecently being doing music workshops here with theNew London Orchestra. I’ve really liked them. In July wesang at the ExCel Centre with 300 school children andother people from Newham. It was so exciting.

KEITH DEBORAH

Look Ahead provide a wide range of services for people with learning disabilities and mentalhealth needs. Our services enable people to make choices in their daily lives and to become anactive part of their local communities, as well as offering a real chance to be independent. LutonRoad in Newham is one of our five schemes which provide high quality accommodation andsupport to people with learning disabilities.

Although Yonathan has only recently moved into the hostel, he has alreadyestablished himself by working as a volunteer. YONATHAN

FACTS AND FIGURES

27

The libraries in our central London hostels provide a fantastic on-site resource where residents can borrow books, CDsand DVDs as well as learning new skills by spending time doing voluntary work in the library.

GENDER OF CUSTOMERSBREAKDOWN

56% White British and Irish28% Black or black British

5% Mixed5% Asian or Asian British3% Chinese or other

ethnic group3% Question refused

ETHNICITY OF CUSTOMERS

65 % 35 % M F

56%28%

5%3%

NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING OUR SERVICES AT ANY ONE TIME

SUPPORTEDHOUSING1371

938

49

440450

1 We were very proud whenour customer involvementprogramme won theprestigious Andy LudlowHomelessness Award inNovember 2006.

TENANCYSUSTAINMENTTEAMS

HOSTELS

OUTREACHFLOATING SUPPORT

REGISTERED CARE HOMES

3248 TOTAL

FUNDING SOURCES

46 %32%14%7%1%

LOCAL AUTHORITY SUPPORTINGPEOPLE CONTRACT INCOME

28

AGE RANGES OF CUSTOMERS

PLANNEDDEPARTURES

MOVING TO INDEPENDENT ACCOMMODATION

DEPARTURES

23%

24%

27%

12%

8%5%

1%

79%50%

8% UNDER 1812% 18 - 19

24% 20 - 2927% 30 - 3923% 40-545% 55 - 641% OVER 65

The 15 ‘cluster flats’ adjacent to our Victoria hostel provide semi-independent accommodation to 75 residents, preparingthem for move-on into independent accommodation in the community.

RENTS & SERVICE CHARGESLOCAL AUTHORITY SOCIALSERVICES FUNDING

COMMUNITIES & LOCALGOVERNMENT FUNDING

OTHER INCOME

1 Housing Corporation chairPeter Dixon, with LookAhead’s chief executiveVictoria Stark andParliamentary UnderSecretary of State,Baroness Andrews OBE, atthe launch of the HousingCorporation’s VulnerablePeople Strategy in August2008. The event was heldat our hostel in Earl’s Court,Princess Beatrice House.

Barry recently completed the Ready for Work course, run in partnership with Business in the Community. Following just one day’s work experience, he was taken on by the Royal Mailas a full-time postman. BARRY

Paulo has completed our two day customer training course which aims to improvecommunication, listening and teamwork skills. He is currently looking for work in the catering field. PAULO

Assisting residents to access suitable employment and training opportunities is a vital part of the support we offer, and helpsthem move towards a more independent future.

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RENT/ HOUSING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION£ 34 - £ 74 HOSTELS£ 54- £ 108 SUPPORTED

HOUSING3.2 %94 % OCCUPANCY97 %

AVERAGE INCREASE IN WEEKLY GROSS RENT

GROSS RENT COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

SUPPORTEDHOUSING

REPAIRS PERFORMANCE

**

* Rents (excluding service charges)

36% Rough sleepers29% Single homeless with support15% Young people at risk, leaving care,

teenage parents10% Mental health problems5% Homeless families with support3% Learning disabilities1% Offenders or at risk of offending1% Women at risk of domestic

violence1% Drug problems1% People with HIV/AIDS

SECONDARY SUPPORT NEEDS*33% Alcohol and drug problems19% Mental health problems18% Rough sleepers15% Single homeless with support

8% Physical or sensory disability5% Young people at risk5% Offenders or at risk of offending4% Refugees4% Complex needs3% Older people with support needs3% Homeless families with support3% Older people mental health2% Learning disabilities2% Mentally disordered offenders2% Young people leaving care1% Frail elderly1% People with HIV/AIDS1% Teenage parents1% Women at risk of domestic

violence* Up to three support needs can be selected

per individual.

NEEDS OF CUSTOMERSPRIMARY NEEDS

100% EMERGENCY REPAIRS95% URGENT REPAIRS98% ROUTINE REPAIRS

Emergency repairs (24 hours) completed within targetUrgent repairs (7 days) completed within targetRoutine repairs (28 days) completed within target

OUR FUNDERSSTATUTORY FUNDERS

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Department of Communities and Local Government

East London and City Mental Health Trust

Hammersmith Primary Care Trust

Housing Corporation

Kensington & Chelsea Primary Care Trust

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

London Borough of Bromley

London Borough of Ealing

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

London Borough of Hillingdon

London Borough of Newham

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

London Borough of Southwark

London Borough of Sutton

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Slough Borough Council

Surrey County Council

Thurrock Council

Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust

Westminster City Council

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1 Yvette Cooper MP,Minister for Housing,visited our Victoria hostelin November 2006. Shemet staff and residentsprior to going to aninternational homelessnesssummit hosted by thegovernment.

2 CRASH director TomBiddlecombe handsHeather Barker, LookAhead’s chairman, agenerous cheque whichhelped fund therefurbishment of thereception area at PrincessBeatrice House.

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CHARITABLE SUPPORTERS

Abbey National Charitable Trust

Appleyard and Trew

Aquaterra Leisure

Arts Council England

Bankers Benevolent Fund

BBC

Bradford & Bingley Housing Finance

British American Tobacco Plc

Business in the Community

Central Care

Coutts Charitable Trust

Chubb

CRASH

Crisis – Changing Lives Awards

Edward Harvist Trust

Egham United Charity

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

FairShare

Glasspool Charity Trust

Homeless Link

Hyde Park Place Estate

Interform

Jones Lang LaSalle

Kind & Company (Builders) Ltd

Kings Fund

Land Aid Charitable Trust

LBI Charity Gallery

Lehman Brothers

Local Network Fund forChildren and Young People,Berkshire

London Housing Foundation

M2 Digital Limited

Morgan Hunt

Niall McLaughlin Architects

New Windsor Parish Church

Personnel and Care Bank

Petch and Fermaud

PFI (Holdings) Ltd

Pret a Manger

Quality and Quantity Ltd

Royal Scottish Corporation

Sarastro Restaurant

Stephen Barry Charitable Trust

St Clement Danes Parochial Charities

St George Dragon Trust

St Mary le Strand Charity

St Martin in the Fields

The Campden Charities

The City Bridge Trust

The Mayor’s Benevolent Fund,Windsor & Maidenhead

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation

The Westminster Foundation

Tiffinbites

Tower Hill Trust

Tuke Manton Architects

Union Jack Sports Ltd

United WestminsterAlmhouses

Waitrose – St Katharine’s Dock

Wakefield Trust

Westend PropertyMaintenance

Westminster Amalgamated Charity

Youth Opportunity Fund,Bracknell Forest Borough Council

1 Joe Linton, Abbey branchmanager, presents acertificate to PrincessBeatrice House residentsrecording a donation from the Abbey NationalCharitable Trust to thehostel.

2 Residents and staff fromHolly House in Bracknellhave raised money for self-defence classes, gymmemberships, horse ridinglessons and a computertrainer and software.

If you are interested in finding out more about the ways you can support us, please contact the fundraisingteam on 0207 368 4647 or email fundraisingteam@lookahead.org.uk

Victoria Stark CBEChief executive

Kathleen BoyleDirector of newbusiness

Liz CurranFinance, IT andproperty servicesdirector

Chris HampsonDirector of strategyand operations

Valerie Raven-HillHuman resourcesdirector

SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM

Heather Barker ChairmanConsultantHumanica LimitedTrusteeSamaritans Central London

Sarah Brown OBEVice chairmanNon executive director – Revenue and CustomsProsecutions OfficeMemberCompetition Commission and BarStandards Board, Audit Committeemember – Parkinson’s DiseaseSociety

Trevor West Chairman of performance reviewcommitteeHead of service improvement Anchor Trust

Christopher BorkowskiCompany directorSt James’s Investments Ltd

Raj BoyjoonauthDeputy director (NHS) Central & Northwest London MentalHealth (NHS) Trust, SubstanceMisuse ServiceMemberEthnic Alcohol Counselling For Hounslow; ManagementCommunity Member of ANSA

Theo FariduddinInclusion and reintegration officer London Borough of CamdenDirectorKobi Nazrul Centre, Baishakhi Mela Trust Ltd

Peter FlamankChartered accountant Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPTreasurerAll Saints Church, Langton Green

Neil GoodwinPublishing consultantALR (Advance) Logistical RackingUK Ltd (part-time)

Mihiri JayaweeraManaging director investmentsLehman BrothersGovernorHargrave Park Primary School

Elizabeth LadimejiHead of partnershipsNational Council for VoluntaryOrganisations

Stephen McKeeverChartered surveyor Close Investments LimitedDirector Various real estate development companies

Bob WardCompany directorRJW Consultancy LtdFormer director of social services and housing

Roger LomaxMember of performance reviewcommittee Chartered accountantFormer finance manager at BAT plcand director of BAT International plc,Tobacco Insurance Co Ltd

LOOK AHEAD BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

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2007 2006£’000 £’000

Fixed assetsHousing properties 111,977 111,330Less Social Housing and other grants (92,160) (91,983)

19,817 19,347Other fixed assets 1,232 1,153

21,049 20,500

Current assets 4,376 2,404Less current liabilities (5,137) (4,860)

Total assets less current liabilities 20,288 18,044

CreditorsAmounts falling due after more than one year 8,314 7,928

Capital and reservesCalled up share capital - -Designated reserves 6,107 5,498Revenue reserve 5,867 4,618

11,974 10,116

20,288 18,044

FINANCIAL SUMMARY2007 2006

£’000 £’000IncomeNet rents and service charges 9,285 8,255Revenue grants 2,066 2,054Supporting People contract income 13,445 12,222Care contract fees 4,210 3,942Commercial property income 146 142Interest earned and other income 427 427

29,579 27,042ExpenditureOperating costs 27,317 25,553Interest payable 404 381

27,721 25,934

Surplus for the year 1,858 1,108

Transfers to designated reserves (609) (348)

Retained revenue surplus for the year 1,249 760

The financial statements have received an unqualified audit report from Look Ahead's auditors, PKF (UK) LLP.

SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2007

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2007

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Look Ahead’s financial statements which include the Board of Management’s report are available from the Secretary on request and can be downloaded from the Look Ahead website: www.lookahead.org.uk

Phillip has been very involved since moving into one of our hostels. He has completed our customer training course and Business in the Community’s Ready for Work course. He also sits on staff recruitment panels and even finds time to work as a volunteer at CRISIS.PHILLIP

Our Cathy Come Home 40th anniversary event in November 2006 provided an opportunity to show guests just how farhostel services have moved on since the drama was first aired.

DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION: Sugarfree Design Ltd. www.sugarfreedesign.co.uk

Portraits and photography: Richard LewisohnAdditional imagery by: Olivia Antolik, Andrew Brackenbury, Ronen Cooke,Mark Felix, Michael Franke, Peter Marshall

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: This brochure is printed on paper containing 50% post-consumer waste andfrom well-managed forests and other sustainable sources under the ForestStewardship Council. All print uses environmentally friendly bio-ink.

Look Ahead Housing and Care1 Derry StreetLondonW8 5HY

T 020 7937 1166F 020 7937 8040E info@lookahead.org.ukW www.lookahead.org.uk