Innovation

Positive Steps Initiatives differs from other organisations as they go to extra lengths to ensure that their service workers are supported by reaching out to those who they believe to be vulnerable. What differentiates them us their commitment to those who they believe to be vulnerable individuals as they are committed to never give up on an individual like, perhaps, other organisations may do when a situation or individual proves to be too difficult. They not only provide support but also accommodation.

Positive Steps Initiatives do not view other charities or organisations as competitors, however one service where they rise above and exceed other organisations is in regards to housing support. When individuals fail to comply, or meet expectations of housing regulations, other organisations often withdraw support with regards to their housing needs whereas Positive Steps Initiatives personally rent the accommodation and sub-let it to the individual. This ensures guaranteed housing support for the individual and after a few years transfer the housing contract over to them. Another incentive for individuals to stay with the organisation is that all housing provided is fully furnished therefore the individual has something to lose if they fail to comply. This extra service differentiates Positive Steps Initiatives from other organisations and encourages service users to reach independence.

The organisation remains innovative through several schemes, such as, a partnership with Dundee University in which they take on business and criminology graduates. This allows for the organisation to constantly gain new and innovative ideas to consider. Positive Steps Initiatives try to be self-sustaining and keep as low a money reserve as possible as the organisation believes it is more innovative to spend the money they do have on those they are helping and on new projects and schemes, therefore they aim to have a small reserve fund.

Inspiration

Positive Steps Initiatives is a Christian charitable social enterprise and were first established in 1989 by a group of staff working in a hospital who had come to the realisation that a high number of para-suicide patients were HIV positive. Therefore, to help those affected and educate others, one member of staff, with the help of the church, encouraged people to volunteer to assist those who had been diagnosed with HIV. There was a lack of education and awareness about such diseases at the time so these efforts were beneficial to those in need and the organisation grew from there.

The organisation was originally more focused on working in Scotland, however it has expanded to helping those in need in several locations across the world. A huge part of the inspiration behind Positive Steps Initiatives comes from people. For example, in India one man approached workers and asked for their help in setting up a house for children of women working in the area's red light district. Funding provided by Positive Steps Initiatives allowed the man to set up a refuge for sex workers with HIV, open a church and build two 'houses of hope' for the children in need; together they are currently home to over 100 children. The organisation has also contributed to similar projects in Brazil, Malawi, Kenya, and Nigeria, providing advice to those working there and providing necessary funding if needed. Their main focus continues to be Scotland, particularly Dundee.

Overall impact

Positive Steps Initiatives addresses seven out of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Their work aims to aid service users with housing and improve their general health and well-being and their over-seas projects help communities with housing, food, and education.

Business benefit

Positive Steps Initiatives has grown to become a major agency, who are devoted to promoting health, well-being, and social lifestyles of vulnerable adults. Being both a charity and a social enterprise, they can benefit from the advantages of both. The many benefits to the social enterprise is that it provides an opportunity for local people to gain employment, brings about positive change to people and communities, and profits can be invested back into the organisation. As a charity, they are entitled to fund their social mission through grants, donations, and have access to charity benefits such as exempt accommodation. However, Positive Steps Initiatives don’t just rely on those funds, they have several work contracts through local governments, in particular Perth and Angus councils in Scotland. These are the main source of income for the charitable social enterprise. Charity donations have both a positive and negative impact, as there are restrictions on the type of revenue. For example, if funds are provided for a specific project then that money must be used for that project only. Additionally, as a charitable social enterprise they acquire free reserves which is money not designated to anything and can be spent by the company as they wish.

Social and environmental benefit

Positive Steps Initiatives’ has a significant impact on society through their commitment to offering assistance and services to vulnerable people in Dundee, Scotland. During a recent interview, Derek Sharkey (CEO) stated there are many benefits for the service user when integrated into the organisation. He stated the main benefits for the service user are:

“Staff build relationships and keep users motivated to avoid relapse”.

“If users are unavailable, staff will look out for users rather than leave them”.

It is evident from these statements that Positive Steps Initiatives have a strong duty of care for their users which creates positive results overall as relationships strengthen between employees and users. The organisation allows residents of Dundee who are struggling due to “addictions and/or disabilities” the opportunity to engage with others in similar situations or with highly motivated staff who are available for advice in accommodation and lifestyle. Sharkey furthers this, by saying:

“Positive Steps Initiatives provide support and accommodation, which is called exempt accommodation, this means they are exempt from any restrictions they may have. This can only be achieved by a charity”.

In the case of accommodation, Positive Steps Initiatives aim to have users think more positively about issues that may be causing them distress. One of the main stresses is accommodation as many users are on a “repeat process” and struggle in the change of lifestyle. Sharkey revealed:

“Many of our users were not allowed accommodation due to anti-social behaviour. We then rented the accommodation from local authorities in which we sublet to users. This guaranteed rent and a new opportunity for our users”.

From the previous quotation, sub-letting from Positive Steps Initiatives is a new segment of the organisation which enhances lifestyle change, confidence in a different way of living and most importantly self-esteem. The organisation goes the extra step from local authorities who provide individuals with “four walls” and to begin improvement with addictions and/or disabilities. Positive Steps Initiatives ensures each accommodation is equipped with necessities to enhance standard of living. Users benefit remarkably from this segment of the organisation as it provides not only a stepping stone into a brighter future but gives users a reason to remain part of the community and allows users a platform of support and care.

Positive Steps Initiatives do partake in practices to achieve protection of the environment. All organisations are now required to act as leaders in environmental activities. In terms of activities they engage in the no paper policy which involves complete reduction on the use of paper as well as the practice of recycling any hard copies of information in offices. Sharkey added:

“Some of our stuff is on paper due to other rules and regulations. We are covered by Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), all of which have their own rules which we have to follow.”

Although this has restrictions on the no paper rule, Sharkey also adds the offices are empty for the majority of the working day as staff are out of office with users. To summarise, Positive Steps Initiatives do not have a large impact on the environment however still partake in environmental practices.

Interview

Derek Sharkey, CEO