About Us
Who are we?
The origins of G3 go back to research carried out in 1982 which looked into the housing needs of Asian and Black young people in Gloucester. The research findings, captured in a report called 'The Hidden Homeless' found that young people from minority groups experienced significant discrimination when securing housing. The study also demonstrated a need for dedicated housing and convinced Gloucester City Council to support the development of a multi-cultural hostel. G3 was formed to manage the new hostel and in September 1986, in partnership with Solon Housing Association., Winnie Mandela House opened (now known as The Old School House).
G3 continued to meet our original aims until 1992 when, in order to maintain funding, G3 entered into a service level agreement with Social Services to secure Children Act funding and G3's focus moved to housing and supporting young people leaving care. Significantly, this funding prompted an expansion in the mid 1990's of new low and medium level supported housing across Gloucester.
The next big phase in growth came between 2001 and 2003 with the preparation for the introduction of Supporting People. G3 expanded to become a countywide provider with the opening of two new high support assessment centres in Lydney and Gloucester and the transfer of existing services in Tewkesbury and Cinderford to G3.
Today, G3 provides 101 bed spaces of supported housing and is a significant provider of housing and support to young people across Gloucestershire. As well as developing essential new housing and support services we have established a resident development programme that ensures each young person develops the many skills needed to live independently. We also host many annual events for young people.
Importantly, we have stayed involved in the development of services for young people; informing and influencing the key decision makers, ensuring that the voices of young people remain heard.
G3 aims to provide excellent services and strives to continually improve. We are members of the National Housing Federation and SITRA.
We were awarded 5 A and 1 B grades by the Gloucestershire County Council Supporting People Partnership Board for our work supporting young people.
We are experts at working with people;
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to identify their needs and develop a personalised plan of actions
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to provide an environment compliant with Health and Safety
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to protect them from abuse and ensure that they feel secure
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to resolve complex problems with determination and optimism
We hold a Silver award for "a service which is above standards in areas of quality and displays areas of good practice. Service delivery and performance are good and the finanical systems are practical and fit for purpose. Staff, service users and other stakeholders are pleased with the service".
Our Aims, Values & Vision
G3 aims to provide a safe, stimulating and inspiring environment for young people, through the provision of an integrated network of housing, support and related services:
Most young people who present to us have complex needs; often they have difficulties managing the transistion from adolescence to adulthood. Many young people are isolated from family networks and have no positive adult involvement in their lives. Many have experienced detrimental schooling and childhood resulting in low self esteem and confidence. We are committed to providing a safe home and to giving a voice to excluded young people enabling them to believe in themselves to move forward, develop and grow.
'The ethos of G3 dictates that we are never happy providing what has always been provided; we always want to do more.' Mary Apperly, Former Chair, G3 Management Committee.
We are committed to identifying the needs of homeless young people and gaps in service provision for this group. Where it is both appropriate and realistic, we will aim to develop new services to meet the needs of our client group. G3 is committed to delivering a holistic set of services which look at the totality of needs for each young person and assess how best to ensure that these are met. This means working in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure that young people's needs are met throughout Gloucestershire.