The Rock Trust Research Project

The Rock Trust has been awarded a grant of £317,323 by the BIG Lottery Fund’s Research Programme in order to undertake a 4 year research project, with the support of Glasgow School of Social Work at Strathclyde University. 

This research looks at the role of housing support services in enabling individuals who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness to build positive social networks, with a view to help optimise the quality of support each service is able to provide

A three phase approach will be taken to the research.

1) A survey of Scottish local authorities and housing support services.

2) In depth investigation of 4 pilot areas based round tracking a sample of service users and using service user interviewers.

3) Development of models of support, resources and a conference to disseminate results across Scotland. 

The Rock Trust will manage the research partnered by Strathclyde University and supported by a Steering Group involving representatives of all groups who will be involved in and benefit from the research.  A full time research fellow will undertake the research with academic support from the Glasgow School of Social Work and project management from the Scottish Social Networks Coordinator backed up by the Rock Trust management team. In the final phase the Rock Trust will develop and disseminate training and share the experience of involvement in research.

Research Outcomes 

The research will provide robust evidence to influence local and national policy and provide staff with the functional best practice models and skills to develop or revise practice and bring direct benefit to service users.  Both service providers and service users will be directly involved throughout the process – in design, delivery and dissemination.  Not only will this ensure relevance, but will also develop user employability along with skills in developing, executing and utilising research.  Ultimately the research aims to help to prevent homelessness, reduce isolation, increase personal independence from support services and promote interdependence, community and family relationships.

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 SRN Training Day Round Up

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EVENTS

SHEIN National Conference - Wednesday 31st March, 2010 RSAMD Glasgow

Glasgow will be hosting the first National Service User Involvement Conference, which will take place on Wednesday 31st March @ RSAMD. This is a free, Scotland wide event, for everyone who supports the belief that service user participation is a key component of finding sustainable solutions to homelessness.

Resilience Through Life Seminar 3rd March, 2010