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CITY | BUSINESS
THE | COLUMNIST
PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES
ROSIE PHILLIPS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BATH BASED CHARITY DEVELOPING HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE SAYS DESPITE GOVERNMENT CUTS AND INCREASING DEMAND, SHE HAS REASON TO CELEBRATE
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A CASE STUDY: JEREMY’S STORY Having spent what was almost a lifetime battling Class A drug addiction, alcohol problems, crime, prison sentences and homelessness, Jeremy decided enough was enough. In 2012 he was bailed on licence after a three-year prison sentence and he wanted to get clean. As part of his strict bail conditions he had to regularly engage with DHI’s Criminal Justice Team by attending group and 1:1 key working sessions and bi-weekly drug tests. Meeting DHI in this way marked the door opening to a whole new life. Through the Criminal Justice Team Jeremy found out about
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they are supported to have a better life. We face difficult times with government cuts, and the speed at which local authorities are expected to make financial savings is extremely challenging for us all. So why am I celebrating?
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Every day we see examples of people who have turned their lives around
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hrough the ages, the wealthy elite made Bath fashionable. But they also served to support less refined entertainment and activities away from the spa treatments, society balls and promenades. Bath citizens living on the margins were useful to society and provided a service to meet demand, be it prostitution, gambling and drinking dens or a black market economy for stolen goods. These days, when war threatens, we need an army. When the labour market is buoyant, we need labourers. But in times of hardship and recession, our tolerance for those living on the margins drops dramatically – in effect, we either patronise or punish according to our own circumstances, and history repeats itself. Bath’s history continues to challenge our contemporary perceptions of poverty and I know that there are many people in Bath today who live at the margins, who suffer social exclusion for reasons such as poverty, disability, homelessness, unemployment, illiteracy, mental ill health, drug or alcohol misuse and isolation. Bath residents see homeless people on the streets and assume that we have a disproportionately large problem with substance misuse. I don’t think we do, but that’s not to say that our growing homeless population is not a huge concern. In Bath we suffer from a massive lack of affordable housing. This means that poorer people can’t afford to live in the areas where the services they need to access are based. And the people who need support don’t fit neatly into one category. More often than not someone who is homeless may suffer from drug or alcohol addiction or poor mental health, or a sudden illness may mean a loss of job and then danger of debt and homelessness. Because people are complex, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work and vulnerable people fall between the cracks. DHI helps to ensure people don’t fall between the cracks, but more importantly, that
Firstly, DHI’s team of skilled employees, and passionate, committed peers and volunteers helped more people than ever (over 4,000) to enjoy a more independent fulfilling life this year. That sounds a bit like a quote from a brochure! What I mean is that, whether it be overcoming drug addiction, taking responsibility, finding employment, or exercising choice and gaining more control, we treat our clients as individuals, and help them to stand on their own two feet. Also, during this past year we have launched innovative and cost effective services in response to need. One example is Home Turf Lettings. A not-forprofit social enterprise, it specialises in residential lettings to the homeless and those at risk of
DHI’s abstinence-based supported house and detox in Bath. He moved in as soon as possible to commence a ten-day detox. Living in the house in Bath meant he was able to have regular contact with his children who were in foster care at the time, something that mattered enormously to Jeremy. In time he was ready for more independence and moved into Barton Buildings, another DHI supported house that provides drop-in visits from key workers but allows clients freedom to prepare themselves for an independent future. While living in Barton Buildings Jeremy took part in a variety of DHI activities including cooking and the Home Achievement
homelessness. It also finds vacant properties and helps owners convert them into affordable housing. So successful has it been, it won a Big Venture Capital award from Government earlier this year and housed its 100th tenants. The 100th tenants, by the way, were Sean and Magda. When their young son was diagnosed with cancer, Magda gave up her job to look after him and they were suddenly unable to afford the rent from a private lettings agency and were at risk of homelessness. Home Turf Lettings moved them into a newly converted flat in a building that had once been a gym but had lain empty for years. We are always looking for opportunities to grow so if you have an unused property or would like to become an ethical landlord, please get in touch. Another example is our dry house in Burlington Street. The cost of a detox there is 10% of the cost of a hospital or residential rehab detox. This, together with Alcohol Liaison service that we run together with AWP, saved the RUH £500k last year, not to mention its role in saving lives. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance –– and every day we see examples of people who have turned their lives around. As I look to the future for Bath, we have ever more challenges to face. Our local politicians must ensure balanced decisions are made which include prevention, early intervention and rehabilitation, and the protection of the most vulnerable. If we don’t act now, in the long term widening inequality will have a detrimental impact on us all. n
Programme to aid his recovery. Wanting to give something back, Jeremy went on to become a peer mentor in the drug and alcohol service that had supported him and he also went back to college. A life of desperation completely turned on its head: today Jeremy lives in his own house and with full custody of his children. He is employed as an apprentice in DHI’s Reach housing support service, is completing an NVQ in housing and has done two skydives for charity. Jeremy says: “Skydiving is a mix of excitement and adrenaline. It is one of the greatest things I’ve done apart from create two beautiful children.”