About Coventry Cyrenians

Our history

1973 A single volunteer was recruited to run a night shelter for up to 10 single homeless men. This was in response to research confirming the existence of a major rough sleeping problem in the Hillfields area of the city
1976 The first paid employee was recruited to manage a team of volunteers
1977 A new night shelter was opened providing accommodation for up to 26 homeless men and women
1981 Our first shared house was opened providing longer term accommodation for a group of regular night shelter users
1984 The Emergency Accommodation Service opens providing a direct link to providers of overnight accommodation.
1985 Successful fundraising enabled us to purchase the first of our six properties
1988 Following a significant increase in homelessness among women in the city, we employed our first dedicated Women's worker
1994 Opening of a purpose built advice centre and offices
1994 Employment of our first qualified Mental Health nurse
1998 Awarded the largest ever National Lottery social sector grant in the West Midlands facilitating the provision of floating support and outreach services and marking a major breakthrough in the delivery of housing support services in the city
2001 Emergency Accommodation Service receives national recognition when quoted in a government report as one of the best preventative models in the UK
2002 Awarded Legal Services Commission "quality mark" in recognition of high service standards
2003 Introduction of "Supporting People" funding contracts results in doubling of turnover to over £2 million per annum
2004 Enquiries reach 9,000 per year for the first time with ever increasing numbers of 16 and 17 year olds requesting assistance.
2005 The introduction of a new direct access project for young people providing 24 hour emergency accommodation brings the number of supported housing units to over 70.
2007 Rough Sleepers unit developed as part of Outreach contract to target growing numbers of rough sleepers in the city
2008 Merger with Coventry Day Centre for the Homeless broadens range of services available to service users
2009 Awarded ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard

Growth

The introduction of Supporting People contracts in 2003 provided the organisation with a degree of stability that made possible a dramatic expansion in the range and quantity of services available to homeless and vulnerable people.

Coventry Cyrenians has traditionally been associated with individuals displaying a variety of complex issues, such as drug addiction, alcohol addiction, offending and mental health problems, compounded often by rough sleeping. Working protocols have been established with a number of agencies to provide a more seamless approach to dealing with these issues with regular surgeries being held at the Norton House Day Centre and the imminent relocation of the Anchor Health Centre to our Simon House premises. The organisation is leading the way in the Coventry and Warwickshire area when it comes to multi-agency working as public sector and voluntary sector bodies increasingly appreciate the need for joined up thinking in dealing with the issues presented by many homeless and vulnerable people.

Match funding is being used as a means of supporting specialist advice providers where the cost of particular services are jointly funded by Coventry Cyrenians and a combination of private sector and voluntary sector organisations. Plans are well advanced to provide a range of financial services, including a rent deposit scheme and a bond scheme to complement the existing arrangement with the Community Care Grant department.

Trustees and Management

David Oliver, FCCA, ACA - Chair.

David became treasurer in 1981 and Chair in 2005. David is a Chartered Accountant & a partner in Haines Watt Accountants. David brings financial skills to the committee & was also treasurer for the national charity, Homes for Homeless People.

Jim McCormack MBE Jim McCormack. MBE

Over 30 years experience on the committee. Retired retail manager (BHS). Was a trustee for local day centre for the homeless, Norton House for many years prior to the merge with Coventry Cyrenians. Also works with the Coventry Boys Club. Jim has a significant reputation for his charitable work and holds several Trusteeships in the City.

Sally Easton Sally Eason

Having started out in the NHS Sally`s career has involved working in the voluntary sector and subsequently in Social Services in both Warwickshire and Coventry. She is now back in the NHS as a Deputy Director for Commissioning of a Primary Care Trust. Her work has largely incorporated a focus on service development, policy and commissioning. Sally has a Masters in Social Science (Social Services Management) from Birmingham University.

Mick Sanders

A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Mick worked for Coventry City Council for nearly 40 years. His principal experience was in the purchase, sale and management of their operational and commercial property portfolio and for the last ten years of his employment he was Head of Land and Property. Following his retirement from the Council, Mick worked in an advisory capacity for Whitefriars Housing Association. He became a trustee of Coventry Cyrenians in 2004.

Paul Sykes Assistant Director, Specialist Services

Paul has over 30 years experience right across the NHS. As a General Nurse and Psychiatric Nurse, he was a key member of both the Royal College of Nursing Council and worked with the European Nursing Group. He held posts in Nursing and General Management in East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Devon and moved to Coventry in 1994 where he worked in mental health, social services, community services and spent valuable time at the Primary Care Trust HQ.

Board of Directors

David Oliver - Chair and Treasurer
Jim MacCormack MBE
Mick Sanders
Paul Sykes
Mrs Sally Eason

Senior Management Team

Michael Fowler - Chief Executive
Philip Bragg FCMA - Director of Finance and Fundraising

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About Coventry Cyrenians

Our history

Growth

Trustees and Management