Inner City Project Vignettes

J (Maori 34 years)

Met J at the soup kitchen. He has not been in permanent accommodation for years, presently sleeping in a car. We met the next day and after going through some options he decided that he would like to apply for a council bedsit. He identified some struggles with his mental health in the past but says that so far he had always somehow managed to stabilise himself. At this stage he was more concerned about his physical health.

Support provided:

Organising required documents and handing in a council flat application

Referring and accompanying to a low cost medical service

Accompanying to interview for council flat

Support with setting up flat (organising bed, fridge etc)

Y (Maori 31)

Y had a brief admission to an acute psychiatric ward. Prior to her discharge she was referred to a community mental health team to provide the follow-up support. At the time of her discharge the team was not able to provide the support immediately due to staffing difficulties. Y self-referred to the Inner City Project as she felt unable to cope with the stresses of settling back in, reorganising her life and having the responsibility for the care of her child, while not having fully recovered from a psychotic episode.

Support provided:

Sorting of financial issues and advocacy for dealings with WINZ

Application to HNZ to request changes to rental property to make it more suitable

Providing transport to childcare until other arrangements were set up

Liasing closely with Newtown Union health Service (who liaised with CMHT) regarding J’s mental health

Emotional support and monitoring