Catrin and Grant attended the Housing and Homelessness Partnership Networking Event provided by the Housing Team of the Local Authority. As all mediation services are now funded by the Housing Support Grant (HSG), we were invited to this event to provide a presentation of our services (mainly mediation) to demonstrate how mediation can be a useful support service in preventing homelessness in both families and in tenancies.

A service user who kindly agreed to attend with us who read out a powerful speech on how services provided by mediation had helped her change her life. Her son also spoke about the positive effects he had seen in his mother, confirming the positive effects. We have received a lot of feedback from professionals including the Welsh Government representative present at the event who reported that our presentation really stood out and made a big impact on her confirming that Digartref’s homelessness preventative services can have an effect on situations before reaching crisis point.

Learn4Life service users had a action packed day Go-Karting and Bowling

On 8th of August 2024 the Mediation and Rural Homeless team staff attended the free event in Llangefni for families to come and enjoy a fun day over the summer holidays.

With activities, prizes and refreshments the event welcomed local families to come and spend the day with staff from support agencies and local businesses.

A great fun-filled day was had by all!

Service Users at the Lighthouse Day Centre we're very busy over the easter period. They took part in in varied activities which included creating their very own Easter Eggs.

Digartref held a service user engagement day on the 26th of June to get some feedback and input for the design and décor of the planned redevelopment of the HEC. Digartref hosted some indoor and outdoor activities for our service users, with staff and some of our partners getting involved too!

For some people attending, this was their first time seeing the plans for the new Hub, and the new Day Centre specifically, and all were interested to see the intended improvements to space and facilities.

Using kind donations from local DIY and home improvement stores, we set up in one of the workshop rooms to consult with service users on some ideas for décor, including colours and flooring, as well as discussing what would make the space feel warm and inviting for those visiting.

Outside, service users and staff got stuck into some crafting activities curtesy of Wild Elements, creating some artwork to decorate the new Day Centre communal space.

Digartref would like to say a big thank you to all those who attended; it is through your input and ideas that we shape our services.

The Gwreiddiau Mon Roots Project has been established to address homeless on the Isle of Anglesey. Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund has allowed Digartref to create a partnership seeking to support those at risk of homelessness on the island, support individuals in the revolving door of Prison and Homelessness and to Raise Awareness about issues facing those at risk of homelessness.

The Lighthouse held a Volunteers day on the 5th June, in celebration of volunteers week, To show appreciation to our dedicated Volunteers of the Lighthouse as well as to our board of trustees who also attended.

In August 2023, I along with 2 other staff members, took 3 residents from Coedlys and 2 residents from Llys Y Gwynt to Llangollen to experience white water rafting for the day. Once we arrived there, we were given a wet suit each and a life jacket. After we were kitted out with all our safety gear we were transported to the picturesque horseshoe falls. We carried the raft together with the instructor down to the water and went through some safety instructions along with some dos and don’ts. The instructor started showing us the actions he would be using whilst out on the water, we had 10-15 minutes to practice inside and outside the raft. Once everyone got the hang of it. We spent roughly 2 hours in and out of the water.

A persistent challenge that faces people who have no fixed address is they are unable to open bank accounts or access banking services. Without a bank account, they cannot receive an income or any benefits they may be entitled to, resulting in a cycle of homelessness through not being able to pay for accommodation or secure a tenancy.

In partnership with HSBC and Shelter, Digartref Cyf is proud to be part of the No Fixed Address (NFA) programme to support people that are homeless to access banking services.

Through the programme, Digartref can support people who do not have a permanent address or identification documents usually required to open an account to access basic bank accounts, enabling them to receive income and benefits, achieve financial independence, and help them on the road to securing accommodation, and along with continued support from Digartref’s dedicated staff, reducing the risk of further homelessness for that person.

Digartref celebrated its 25th birthday in January 2023.