Mater Dei Family Service
Mater Dei (the project relocated from Atlantic House) was opened as a response to the displacement of families due to a number of factors which include: relationship breakdown, inappropriate living arrangements, overcrowding and paramilitary intimidation.
PROJECT AIMS
- To provide high quality support to homeless families;
- To be an advocate for them as they seek to secure their own long-term accommodation;
- To equip them with skills to help ensure their success in independent living;
- To enable families to become reintegrated into the community and society as a whole.
FACILITIES and SERVICES
In partnership with Newington Housing Association, the project located on the Antrim Road offers temporary accommodation in independent flats to homeless families. Each flat is fully furnished and has two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and open plan living/dining room. All service users have access to communal rooms and children's play areas.
Families are appointed a key worker to ensure they can access all the services they require and receive the appropriate support. A care plan is developed between the service users and key worker, which is regularly monitored and reviewed. The care plan covers life skills, budgeting, parenting skills and health support.
During the families stay the staff assist in accessing suitable long-term accommodation. Mater Dei provides the time and space during which families can address the issues which led to their housing crisis and supports families to gain practical skills which enable them to adapt to life after they have left the project.
TARGET GROUP
Mater Dei works with families from all over Northern Ireland which have been identified as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. All service users must have a commitment to the project and comply with the programme of support. The project promotes an alcohol and drug free environment and has a comprehensive child protection policy. Those considered a serious risk to the safety or welfare of other service users, staff or neighbours are not considered suitable.
Location
