Salvation Army Lifehouse awarded for service innovation

Ty Gobaith Lifehouse for people experiencing homelessness in Cardiff has been recognised for its role in improving the lives of vulnerable people in Wales at the 10th anniversary of the Promoting Independence Awards, held on in Cardiff.  

The awards are unique in celebrating the achievements of a sector working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society, as well as challenging stereotypes by welcoming and celebrating achievements of those very people at the ceremony. The awards are organised by Cymorth Cymru, the umbrella body for providers of homelessness, housing-related support and social care services in Wales and the judges are made up of representatives from these bodies across Wales.  

The Award for Service Innovation - presented to Ty Gobaith which is run by the Salvation Army - recognises that the housing and homelessness sector has needed to adapt to significant changes over the last 10 years since the awards first started. Ty Gobaith was recognised for finding new, original solutions to enduring issues affecting people experiencing homelessness to break the cycle and achieve sustainable change.  

Emma Paynter, Service Manager at Ty Gobaith said: “I just want to say a massive well done to all service users, staff and volunteers at the Lifehouse for the recognised achievements and hard work that resulted in us receiving the Service Innovation Award.   

“We had a number of service users who were nominated for awards based on their own personal achievements who also received recognition on the night. Janne Doidge also received personal recognition in the form of a Highly Commended Certificate for her hard work in services, through the Inspirational Colleague Award”.   

Ty Gobaith was short-listed in many other award categories including the award for Involvement and Engagement, and Employment and Skills.  

Emma added: “Words cannot describe how proud I am of all of the service users, staff and volunteers and how good it feels to demonstrate the outstanding work we are delivering as a service to partners and stakeholders in the sector across Cardiff”.  

Highly trained staff and volunteers of the Salvation Army deliver compassionate support and training to service users through supported accommodation, education and skills programmes, outreach support as well as addiction recovery services.

Ty Gobaith aims to empower service users to secure independence and is passionate about breaking the cycle of homelessness, constantly seeking innovative and personalised ways to support people in addressing the issue to achieve sustained change.  

Katie Dalton, Interim Director at Cymorth Cymru, said: “We were delighted to host the tenth Promoting Independence Awards ceremony, which recognises the hard work and dedication of so many inspirational people and invaluable services in Wales. Despite the challenging financial climate, housing and homelessness organisations have yet again stepped up to the mark and continued to deliver high quality, life changing support to vulnerable people across the nation. We received fantastic nominations from across Wales, and I know the judges had a hugely difficult time choosing winners. The range and variety of projects show just how much innovation the third sector brings to Wales. Organisations such as the Salvation Army are an inspiring example of what is being achieved in Wales, leading the way in its approach in making Wales a country of fairness and prosperity for all”.