Uthink started life in 2010 as a Community Interest Company before evolving into a charitable organisation (Uthink People Developing People). Its founders, are considerably experienced and fully qualified Youth and Community Workers, who have for many years worked at the coalface with young people in demanding urban and rural environments, on behalf of various local authorities.
Given their Youth Work experience, it is of no surprise that Uthink was originally established with a primary focus on young people. However, whilst the golden thread of Youth Work and Community Development continues to run through much of what the charity does, Uthink has since expanded into providing services for adults as well. This reflects the Trustee’s proven track record of leading services and programmes catering for both disadvantaged adults and young people.
Uthink’s daily operation is also administered by a team of very experienced staff members, who make it possible for its Directors to focus on the charity’s service provision.
This is not to forget that a major aspect of Uthink’s mission is to empower our service-users to become future Uthink leaders and mentors, who are willing to invest their newly acquired skills into the development and education of others who also need to experience enfranchisement and empowerment. In other words, we enable the individuals we work with to become catalysts for change in their own social environments and communities. This creates a transformative cycle that sustains the positive impact of Uthink’s work, by enabling our service-users to take ownership of their personal development and to become sources of inspiration and influence in their own peer groups.
In 2019, Uthink recognised increasing levels of poverty and homelessness right across the country. Over a million households are currently on the social housing waiting list. We believe social housing is absolutely crucial, It provides a home for people who cannot otherwise access one, something which in the midst of our housing crisis is as important as ever. It builds communities and gives people support which helps them to live healthy, happy lives.
Uthink Housing provides Specialised Supported Housing to some of the most vulnerable people in society, supporting and enabling them to live independently.
Specialised Supported Housing enables our tenants to live independently within their community, while receiving a level of care that is approximately the same as that provided by a care home. There is a lot of publicly available evidence to show Specialised Supported Housing provides better wellbeing outcomes for individuals as well as demonstrating value for money through reduced pressure on public services. We only provide Specialised Supported Housing. If alternative, reasonable and suitable accommodation is available to an individual with care and support needs, then UthinkPDP will not be able to house or support that person.
Our accommodation is safe, successful and sustainable. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and are unique in that we provide housing when all other opportunities have been exhausted. We lead the way in improving lives, creating opportunities and supporting people to achieve great things.