Brief Description

The Matthew Tree Project (TMTP) is a local independent charity which, over the past 11 years, has created a unique crisis support programme known as Rebuilding Lives; a holistic city-wide multi-agency model shaped by the people it serves. Rebuilding Lives empowers people to address the underlying causes of their crisis, whilst improving health and wellbeing, and future prospects. Rebuilding Lives is open to anyone in crisis regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or circumstance. People are given a safe space, time, understanding, support and the tools needed to rebuild a healthier, wealthier and better future. We believe everyone is remarkable with something unique to offer. Often, a complex mixture of life events and societal issues plunge people into desperate situations with nowhere to turn to for help. By us believing in them, they start to believe in themselves. Clients tell us, above anything else, we give hope that a better future is attainable.

Vision & Mission

We believe everyone has the capability to be remarkable and has the ability to excel in something.
Our vision is to empower and support people who have fallen into crisis, for whatever reason, to rebuild their lives and create a better, healthier, happier future.
Our vision is to create a sense of community where people feel safe, understood and supported. To connect people and families in crisis together with services, activities and skills training they need, in a seamless and easy way.
Our vision is to provide opportunities for people and communities to help each other and contribute towards making the world around them a better place to be.
Our vision is to be the voice of those living on the very edge of society and influence policy makers to address the systemic failures that contribute to the very high and widening inequality gap in the UK.   
Our mission is to succeed in the above so that one day we can close down The Matthew Tree Project because there is no need for it.

Aims & Activities

Rebuilding Lives is designed to address the underlying causes of multiple and complex issues anyone in crisis has, whilst at the same time removing hunger and improving health and wellbeing. Conditions are created that facilitate effective multi-agency working enabling people to access the support they need, when they need it. Delivered through Community Hubs, the 'Rebuilding Lives' programme provides full wrap-around joined-up services, including practical and emotional support; weekly nutrient rich food supplies; advice; life and pathways to employment skills training; advocacy; and confidence building volunteering opportunities. The frontline crisis support teams build an open and trusting relationship with each household, enabling the introduction of additional [joined-up] services and support, as required and in a way each client can cope with. This results in a full wrap around and personally tailored support ‘bubble’ to make people feel safe, secure, cared for, and empowered.

Facts & Figures

                            Vulnerable households are referred to the Rebuilding Lives Crisis Support programme by over 90 statutory and non-statutory agencies and organisations. We also accept self-referral.
'Rebuilding Lives' is designed to support the vulnerably housed – those at risk of becoming homeless. Our initial focus is to stabilise the crisis and prevent this from happening. 
The team and strategic partners work hard to help people unpack the complex and multi-layered issues that underlay the cause of the crisis and remove barriers to progress by providing full wrap-around joined-up services, including practical and emotional support; weekly nutrient rich food supplies; advice; life and pathways to employment skills training; advocacy; and confidence building volunteering opportunities. 
The frontline crisis support teams build an open and trusting relationship with each household, enabling the introduction of additional [joined-up] services, as required and in a way each client can cope with.
                            

                            Rebuilding Lives is delivered in all post code areas of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. It is open to anyone in crisis regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, post code, sexual orientation, or circumstance. Because we engage, long-term, with a wide diversity of people and crisis situations we gain unique insight into the pathways to poverty and what works and what does not, to enable people to escape the poverty trap and support themselves, without the need of our services.
Support is provided for as long as there is need. The average length of time, across all cases, is between 3-6 months. During this time, we engage (at least) weekly with each household and more frequently if the situation demands. 
The impact of our work also extends to the children. Over 40% of clients report that school performance improves; the home environment becomes less stressful and more positive; and health improves due to the nutrient rich diet – 51% of food provided is fresh 5-a-day produce.
                            

Awards

Best in Charitable Community Services by Corporate Live Wire Bristol Prestige Award in 2020

Best in Charitable Community Services by Corporate Live Wire Bristol Prestige Award in 2021

Best Practice Representative: Health & Social Care by Parliamentary Review in 2020