Hi, I’m Bex , POW’s Crisis Intervention Worker.

I’ve worked at POW for nearly 4 years now, but have had contact with POW for many many years. My role within the team is to try and alleviate immediate crisis. What is a crisis to one of us may not be deemed so by another.

My days are very varied. I’m lucky that with the team supporting my role I can often attend our clients needs quickly and in a practical way. Often spending many hours at housing or medical appointment advocating their rights.

How am I working during the lockdown?

I’m at home self isolating with 2 children aged 4 and 7, and a husband. It is not easy.

My working day starts at 10am, kids are downstairs and I’m locked in my bedroom with phones and a laptop. Start with email catch up.

Whilst on lockdown I’m trying to monitor the most vulnerable and chaotic clients that do not engage with any other service except POW. This is no easy feat, when sitting in a bedroom 20 miles away from Radford.

Most of our clients do not have phones. Those that do are rarely turned on or kept for very long. My work mobile has 100s of numbers which say A1,2,3,4 5 . B1,2. I have no idea who half the numbers I ring belong. I try not to think about that!

I’ve received an email from housing, to say they can accommodate a homeless woman who is currently on the streets.

4 hours later a message is eventually passed to the woman. She texts me a number to contact her on. I pass all the details to her where she needs to present to be housed. Two POW workers will be going out to her to ensure she has basic essentials in accordance with government guidance. 1 person housed about 8 more to go.

Before I switch off my email, another message to say one of our well known clients will be released from custody with no accommodation, can POW help? I email back the probation officer and tell her unfortunately we have no provision for housing, and they need to refer to the local authority….

Tomorrow is a new day.