Our Achievements

We have 35 years experience of promoting independence and successfully including people in society. We have a reputation with health, social services and homelessness agencies for including people who pose risks and challenges which other agencies cannot easily cope with.

Over 97% of tenants per annum sustain their tenancies. Given the scale of the challenge of independence for many of the people we work alongside, this is an extraordinary achievement.

Over 66% of tenants participate beyond their housing - whether they attend some of the many social events each year, are regulars in canteens and clubs or participate fully in work, training and/or employment.

One in five tenants or participants gets onto a college course or takes part in Open2work each year.

One in five tenants or participants each year takes part in planning, managing and running the organisation. Whether as members of the Board or its sub-committees, participating in service review groups, sitting on staff recruitment panels or taking part in community meetings, participants are active, vocal and vital to the organisation's maintenance and improvement.

Key Challenges

Paid employment: Whilst we have made some head way over the past year, the rate of employment amongst Peter Bedford tenants and participants, at 8%, is very low. Given that 100% of tenants and participants are unemployed at the point of entry into Peter Bedford, this is not surprising. However, we believe we can and should seek to have an impact on economic inclusion for the people we are working alongside. See Innovations for what we are doing to meet this challenge. If you are interested in partnership around employment, please contact alex.iwuoha@peterbedford.org.uk.

Move-on accommodation: There are more people ready, willing and able to move on from Peter Bedford each year than we can find suitable accommodation for. Although this reflects the general lack of suitable, affordable accommodation in London, we are determined to increase opportunities for people to move on. Our eventual success in this will also increase the number of people who can benefit from Peter Bedford's combination of support to live independently. If you are interested in partnership around move-on – whether on a reciprocal or alternative basis – please contact andrew.tyers@peterbedford.org.uk.