Blogs - Social Interest Group

Housing Our Services Women's Services

SIG Penrose – London Women’s Refuge Service’s 2024 Christmas Appeal

This Christmas, countless women and children will not experience the joy of celebrating in the comfort of their homes. Instead, they are seeking refuge from a life filled with fear and... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Mental Health Our Services

Help End Social Isolation This Christmas: SIG Penrose Roots Winter Appeal 2024

With an estimated 41,000 people in Luton facing social isolation this winter, the need for community-based support to tackle loneliness has never been greater... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Penrose Roots

Influencing Change Staff Blog Women's Services

Brighton Women Service Reclaim the Night 2024

Globally, an estimated 736 million women – nearly one in three – have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in... (read more)

Reuben

Recovery Worker

People Staff Blog

Celebrating 10 Years with Angela at SIG

From her early days volunteering to her current role as a Director, Angela has grown with SIG, and her journey is one of... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change

NHS Consultation: No Patient Voice, No Patient Choice

Lack of patient voice is what causes health inequalities. The correlation between poor physical and mental health is not because of skin colour or gender but because characteristics like these are used to ‘other’ groups of people that do not look and sound like the majority... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Our Services

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future: Working Towards Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030

We understand that caring for people goes hand-in-hand with caring for our planet. That’s why we have... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Homelessness and Complex Needs Housing Mental Health Our Services

SIG Pathways to Independence Celebrates 40th Anniversary

As SIG Pathways to Independence reflects on its 40 years of service, it remains focused on the future—building on its legacy of innovation and support. Through continued partnerships, counselling services, and award-winning... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Our Services Staff Blog

Celebrating a Decade of Collaboration: Reflecting on 10 Years of Innovation and Growth

The structure of the Group has evolved, but the driving ethos remains; we bring expert charities together to collaborate and learn from each other to identify gaps and... (read more)

Gill Arukpe

Executive Trustee and Group CEO

Mental Health Our Services

Service Spotlight: SIG Penrose Roots

The service is designed and delivered by people with lived experience, ensuring that support is both empathetic and practical. In fact, over half of the SIG Penrose Roots team... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Penrose Roots

Homelessness and Complex Needs Housing Influencing Change Mental Health

Open Letter to the Chancellor

Our sector is hurtling towards a £1 billion loss in funding. Between now and 2025, dedicated programmes to address homelessness through the government’s 2021 Spending Review are set to expire.... (read more)

Social Interest Group

External Affairs Team

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Neurodiversity Our Services Staff Blog

The Benefits of Social Prescribing for People with Experience of Mental Health Challenges

I’ve seen first-hand the transformative power of social prescribing in supporting individuals with... (read more)

Veronica Claridi

PCCS Service Manager

Group photo of SIG statff and guests at Father Inside Showcase in HMP Altcourse Liverpool

Criminal Justice Residents and Participants Voices Staff Blog

Fathers Inside Showcase at HMP Altcourse: A Day of Vulnerability, Courage, and Creativity

As soon as we stepped into the chapel at HMP Altcourse, it was clear this wasn't going to be just another day. The room was... (read more)

Adam Shaw

Family Service Manager

Our Services Staff Blog Women's Services

Introducing SIG Penrose Women’s Refuge

Domestic abuse is a leading cause of homelessness, with many women also facing complex barriers such as mental health and substance-related needs. The women accessing our services are... (read more)

Laurel Struthers

Head of Service

People Staff Blog

Staff Spotlight: Meet Our Policy and Impact Manager

50 cent titled his debut studio album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and I take a “Get Equity or Die Tryin’” approach to life and work.... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Group Photo of SIG stataa at the Integrated Community Rehabilitation Service in London

Mental Health Our Services

A Milestone in Mental Health: Launch of the SIG Penrose/SLaM Integrated Community Rehabilitation Service (ICRS)

This innovative service offers mixed-gender supported living and specialist rehabilitation for residents across Croydon, Lewisham, and Southwark... (read more)

Vanessa Johnson

Marketing & Communications Manager

Homelessness and Complex Needs Our Services Substance Use

SIG Equinox: Leading the Way in Alcohol Harm Reduction and Recovery

Alcohol use often comes with significant stigma, making it even harder for those affected to seek help. People referred to us have faced rejection from family, friends, and society, leaving them... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Our Services Staff Blog

Celebrating 11 Years of Roots

As we mark the 11th anniversary of Roots, our Service Manager, Samantha Smith, reflects on the incredible journey of this community-based project and the transformative impact it has had on... (read more)

Samamtha Smith

Service Manager – SIG Penrose Roots

Our Services Staff Blog

SIG Penrose PCCS Achieves Highest Rating with 5-Star ‘Excellent’ Accreditation

We are proud to announce that SIG Penrose Community Care and Support (PCCS) has been awarded a 5-star ‘Excellent’ rating by Lambeth Council following a... (read more)

Greg Tythe

Director of Development, Marketing and Communications

Criminal Justice Influencing Change Our Services

Our CJS Impact Report Launches

There are few sectors where evidence is as undervalued as in criminal justice. In our justice system, policymaking is often driven by... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs and Impact

SIG achieves LGBTQ Housing Pledge Promise Badge

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Staff Blog

SIG achieves HouseProud Promise Pledge accreditation aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ residents

One of the standout aspects of this initiative is how it ensures that LGBTQIA+ voices are heard at the executive and strategic levels. This includes establishing ... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

Image of a working team evaluating ideas

Influencing Change Our Services Staff Blog

Championing a Positive Safety Culture in the Social Care Sector

Through focus groups and webinars, training, expert advice, and practical information, we’ve empowered colleagues, residents, and participants, fostering a culture of curiosity, learning and constructive.... (read more)

Jenny Ralls

Director of Compliance, Risk and Internal Audit

Our Services Staff Blog

Empowering Our Community Through Data and Technology – A Glimpse Into the Work of Our BI and IT Teams

Our BI and IT teams’ continuous efforts to improve data-driven decision-making, automate processes, and enhance cyber security are directly contributing to our mission of supporting... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Close-up of young adult latin architect leaning on desk while working on blueprint in studio

Housing Influencing Change Our Services

A Milestone in our Journey: Progressing Towards Social Landlord Registration

Though often underfunded and scarce, these housing options are essential for those working toward independent living. We are committed to bridging... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Criminal Justice Influencing Change Our Services

Hidden Children: What Happens When a Parent is Imprisoned?

Discover the profound impact of parental incarceration on children and learn how national guidelines and innovative programs like ‘Father’s Inside’ are breaking the cycle of crime and supporting affected families... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion News

Rioting and Violence Across the UK

We stand together with all staff, residents and participants affected by the horrific rioting and violence witnessed in our towns and cities over the... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Disability and Access Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Mental Health Reform

SIG Safe Ground features in King’s Speech parliamentary debate

SIG Safe Ground featured during the King's Speech parliamentary debate when Lord Lucas shared the importance of rehabilitation in the justice system... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Disability and Access Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health

Wrong Care, Wrong Person?

Healthwatch report that many people were unaware that they were being advised by a physician associate and not a doctor... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Mental Health Our Services

A quarter of staff absences in the NHS caused by psychiatric illness; solutions within our sector

Recent data from the NHS reveals that psychiatric illnesses were named as the leading cause of NHS employees taking time off work. (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Criminal Justice Influencing Change Our Services

How The New Government Can Fix Our Criminal Justice Crisis

With every crisis comes opportunity. The solutions aren’t all quick, but with a longer-term, evidence-based approach, we can re-design our criminal justice system to be more effective, economical... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs and Impact

Influencing Change Mental Health Mental Health Reform

Our Priorities for Mental Health Reform Reflected in Policy Pledges

Inequity in policy has exacerbated health inequalities and we have put forward key changes that are needed to address this to MPs serving our residents in their constituencies: ensuring... (read more)

Raje Ballagan

Policy and Impact Manager

Influencing Change Mental Health

Championing Person Centred Support in Mental Health

Last week we were joined at New Hope residential service in New Cross by local MP and shadow minister for disabled people, Vicky Foxcroft... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs and Impact

Influencing Change Mental Health Mental Health Reform

Advocating for Mental Health Reform with Local MP

Last week, residents and staff in our Lewisham Mental Health Supported Housing service were joined by local MP Ellie Reeves and Cllr Chrishni Reshekaron for a discussion on... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs

Mental Health Our Services

Research highlights concerns causing people to be ‘trapped’ on long terms prescriptions of antipsychotic medications

The report revealed that 32% of patients are not receiving medical reviews to manage the known risks associated... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Criminal Justice

Championing Green Social Prescribing with Roots Community Garden

We are passionate about the therapeutic impact of the Roots Community Garden and believe every neighbourhood should have one... (read more)

SIG Penrose Roots

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Reform

The Urgency of Mental Health Act Reforms evidenced by latest CQC Monitoring the Mental Health Act Report

Last week, the government responded to important recommendations made by the Joint Committee on the Mental Health... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Image with three people working in a garden

Disability and Access Neurodiversity Our Services

Celebrating Neurodiversity Week with our Roots Members

In recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Lynne Bowden, Project Officer at SIG Penrose Roots shares her experience working with two of our neurodiverse members at the... (read more)

Lynne Bowden

Project Officer

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Inequity in the Health and Care Workforce

It is vital to understand the impact of discrimination. It is not just about someone making an aggressive and shaming comment, then apologising... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Mental Health Our Services Staff Blog

Pathways’ Staff, Residents and Participants Influence Local Policy for Homelessness

The potential of arts and drama to support mental health is acknowledged and applied in many ways... (read more)

Pathways to Independence

Disability and Access Housing Neurodiversity Substance Use

SIG Comment on High Court Ruling Enabling Eviction of Disabled People

We were disappointed and concerned to read of the High Court’s recent ruling in favour of a... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Homelessness and Complex Needs Housing Residents and Participants Voices

SIG Join National Charities for Homelessness Lobby

As someone intimately familiar with the mental health services of NHS Trusts... (read more)

Guest Blog

TJ Matthews

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Mental Health Mental Health Reform

A just culture and psychological safety: top-down transformation for mental health services

Problems such as operational voice superseding the clinical voice, leadership lacking compassion and trust but being unable to... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Mental Health Reform Staff Blog

Developing Community Mental Health in South London: Are We on the Same Page?

As diverse communities share what community means to us and how its structure supports our view of ourselves and society, we need to ensure that.... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Staff Blog

EDI at Social Interest Group: 6 Guiding Principles

SIG have steadily built an EDI Programme which not only challenges discrimination but brings colleagues together to celebrate our wealth of lived experience.... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

Homelessness and Complex Needs Housing Influencing Change Mental Health Personality Disorder

Five things we would like to see in health, social care and justice in 2024

Whilst elections and global conflicts will likely dominate the news agenda this year, here are 5 changes we... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Influencing Change Mental Health Mental Health Reform

Creative Health: Learning and Arts in Community

Learning is a creative activity which improves mental health, alleviates depression and studies indicate it prevents dementia... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Homelessness and Complex Needs Our Services Staff Blog

New Hope at 25: Stella reflects

Today, we come together to celebrate the momentous occasion of New Hope’s 25th Anniversary... (read more)

Stella Asiimwe

Service Manager

Influencing Change Mental Health

Let’s talk about shame and anxiety

Trauma-informed approaches are so integral to how we operate as a service provider that we now see this as a common sense approach... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Background image with small letter blocks reading non binary

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+

A Statement of Support for Transgender People

Your identity, your choice! A Statement of Support for Transgender People... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

Influencing Change Mental Health

Government Shares Major Strategy for Suicide Prevention

One hundred and fifteen people lose their lives in the UK each week by suicide... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Criminal Justice Influencing Change Substance Use

Why our ‘Drugs are Bad’ approach has only made things worse

Let's start with the obvious. Drugs can destroy lives. In 2021, there were 4,859 deaths related to drug poisoning, with a further 9,641 deaths recorded as alcohol-specific... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs

Mental Health Staff Blog

World Suicide Prevention Day – Creating Hope

“Creating Hope Through Action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day. A powerful call to... (read more)

Muriel Gutu

Group Clinical Lead

Criminal Justice Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Digitisation in the CJS and Social Care Sectors

Digitisation has become a real government buzzword but what is it and why is it being presented as a... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Criminal Justice Influencing Change Staff Blog

Increase In Prison Recalls

To have people who have served what they are told is enough of their sentences be returned for non-compliance without appropriate risk assessment of re-offending feels wrong... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Image of a woman walking on a cloudy afternoon

Criminal Justice Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change

Women, Race and the Criminal Justice System

Black, minoritised and migrant women in contact with the Criminal Justice System face compounding issues from criminalisation to barriers to ... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Criminal Justice Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Neurodiversity

Bias exists against black people throughout the Criminal Justice System’s processes

Worsening trends in the representation of ethnicity on remands in prison, despite decades of many reviews and investigations highlighting the institutional racism destroying li ... (read more)

Raje Ballagan-Evans

Policy and Impact Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+ Staff Blog

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64….”

I've written before about my experiences as a gay man, particularly as a young man growing up in Ireland in the 60s and 70s. I now have the experience of... (read more)

Colm Keegan

Former Director of Best Practice

Guest Blog Residents and Participants Voices

Finding my Roots

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt like an outsider in my own life, searching for a place where I could truly belong... (read more)

Guest Blog

TJ Matthews

Our Services Staff Blog

Safeguarding Awareness

If you feel like something just isn’t right but can’t put your finger on why, do you take a moment to... (read more)

Maria Speight

Director of HR and Workforce Development

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Staff Blog

Visit to Sikh Golden Temple

I remember the first time I visited to the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar in Punjab... (read more)

Kenny Sehmi

Audit & Compliance Officer

Staff Blog

Apprenticeships – a Misunderstood Topic

Part of this perception is still true; apprenticeships are designed to attract youngsters into work with opportunities. However... (read more)

Graham Eveleigh

Former Talent Development Partner

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Staff Blog

Black History Month – The Power of Language

Language emerges as the primary tool for connection between people, but so often taken for granted and arguably not... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Staff Blog

Living with Mental Health: Homosexuality

Despite all the riots and all the progress we have made as a community, there are still too many who would prefer to see us ignored, converted, discriminated, imprisoned, or killed. This is the... (read more)

Rares Negrii

Night Manager

Staff Blog Women's Services

Meet Jas, our 2022 Fundrasing Hero

Jas knew she wanted to raise money for a smaller charity and one that meant a lot to her. She tried to find a charity focused on helping women who have faced... (read more)

Social Interest Group

Fundraising Team

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+ Staff Blog

Pride Month

Whilst much of Pride is for celebratory purposes, the occasion also marks an important historic background, and can be used to... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Influencing Change Staff Blog

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

George’s death has triggered important conversations and changes are starting to take place, including here at the Social Interest Group. We have had... (read more)

Norman Alcide

Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Programme Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Staff Blog

Happy Mother’s Day

The love is all consuming and the sense of responsibility I felt then at having to shape these human beings into responsible, law abiding, balanced and... (read more)

Vanessa Johnson

Marketing & Communications Manager

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mental Health Staff Blog

International Women’s Day

What she did not realise is that the 20-year-old woman sat in front of her was (and still is) a victim and survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault. A woman that did not know what... (read more)

Victoria

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+ Staff Blog

LGBT+ History Month – “Mind”

“This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be” – Alan Turing in an interview with The Times newspaper, 11th June 1949... (read more)

Colm Keegan

Former Director of Best Practice

Mental Health Our Services Staff Blog

Working and Caring

When you’re doing something this demanding, eventually something must give unless you are from Krypton. You’re under... (read more)

Kenny Sehmi

Audit & Compliance Officer

Mental Health Staff Blog

Mindfulness

Eventually I realised that mindfulness isn’t silence, it’s just bringing yourself into the moment. I try to think of it as a... (read more)

Victoria

Mental Health Neurodiversity Staff Blog

Upcycling at SIG Penrose – HerStory House

I spoke with the manager, who gave the go ahead to buy a bookcase for us to upcycle for the lounge. Fortunately for us... (read more)

Marcia

Recovery Worker

Mental Health Our Services Staff Blog Substance Use

Aspinden Rises to the Challenge

I would sit up during the night feed thinking about the endless amounts of PPE they would be going through, how the communal mealtimes and activities

Rochelle Mcdonald,

Former Deputy Manager

Homelessness and Complex Needs Mental Health Residents and Participants Voices

The Perfect Storm

Little by little I built from scratch not knowing of God's plan about to hatch becoming more numb in a... (read more)

Guest Blog

Sarah

Influencing Change Staff Blog

Fundraising

It is so important that when people move into our accommodation, they receive the essential items they need to feel welcomed, secure and to... (read more)

Katherine

Fundraising Team

Staff Blog

Living With Diabetes

I have been living with this disease for over 20 years but have tried for it not to dominate my life. I know that if I do not have good control that the damage it will do to... (read more)

Stuart Jenkin

Vice-Chairman

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+ Staff Blog

Pride & Prejudice

However, I still have to be challenged about my own prejudices. We live in a small town and this time last year we had our first local Pride Festival. It is not an area renowned for its diversity, and old fears about being... (read more)

Colm Keegan

Former Director of Best Practice

Our Services Staff Blog

The Calm Inside the Storm

Our prison teams, every day entering overcrowded, confined environments that only amplify the sense of tension and anxiety. Our probation staff, the first port of call for... (read more)

Adam Moll

Director of External Affairs

Our Services Staff Blog

Securing Our Future

I am not personally a fan of the term “lockdown”, it sounds like something which is being done as a form of punishment rather than protection. But as the days turn into weeks it is... (read more)

Darren Kelso

Former Director of Operations

Our Services Staff Blog

Keeping Things PIE in Challenging Times

As we move into April and a new month in lockdown, I am aware of the growing challenges of social distancing and self-isolation. For many of ... (read more)

Colm Keegan

Former Director of Best Practice

Our Services Staff Blog

Thank You

I’m hearing stories and cases across the businesses of how teams are adapting their working patterns, styles, and locations to ensure they still deliver quality support and care to... (read more)

Gill Arukpe

Executive Trustee and Group

Our Services Staff Blog

Room With a View

I had not envisaged within the first 3 months of my time with SIG that I would be dealing with a pandemic situation like this... (read more)

Cassie Newman

Former Senior Director of Operations

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ+ Staff Blog

What the Red Ribbon Means

It is hard to describe the level of stigma and prejudice people faced. Most of the people I knew then were gay men – many of them very young and when we came into the reception area... (read more)

Colm Keegan

Former Director of Best Practice