NEWS FEATURE
Committing to compassion at HSU Conference SWANWICK THE 2022 HSU Conference cemented the feeling of togetherness within the Homelessness Services Unit, writes Booth House Lifehouse Service Manager Deborah Toomey. All the sessions linked into hope, togetherness, acceptance and relationships, with Territorial Director of Homelessness Services Lorrita Johnson introducing the theme of Diamonds, in terms of ‘discovering, refining and honing’ as well as thinking about how precious we are to each other and God. The conference began with a look at Housing First and harm reduction. The Housing First approach focuses on respect and compassion for everyone, while harm reduction aims to reduce the negative consequences of drug use through safer substance use rather than abstinence. It includes the use of a needle exchange and education on safe injecting and the disposal of needles. Territorial Addiction Services Officer Lee Ball and Assistant Territorial Addictions Services Officer Captain Dr Will Pearson gave talks on the Army’s Harm Reduction Strategy, which aims to serve others without discrimination and focuses on relationships, not equipment. Thinking about the loss of lives, love, connection and togetherness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, delegates offered each other a sign of friendship, shaking hands and saying, ‘Peace be with you.’ The acceptance and non-judgemental thinking behind harm reduction was echoed in a passage from John 8, which talks about
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Salvationist 2 April 2022
people who came to Jesus with different mindsets. The Pharisees and Scribes were able to see that they were sinners through the words of Jesus, like the woman they were accusing. The woman, expecting punishment for her error, received a lovely acceptance from Jesus, which must have left a lasting impression on her. The highlight of the conference was a trauma-informed care session led by Dr Mandy Davis. Trauma-informed care is a strengths-based approach that seeks to understand and respond to the impact of trauma on people’s lives. The approach emphasises physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone and aims to empower individuals to re-establish control over their lives. The training session included the sharing of a hand model of the brain, illustrating how people make decisions and regulate emotions. Dr Mandy explained the concept of dysregulation, which refers to an inability to manage emotional responses. This can include sadness, anger, irritability and frustration. Along with an explanation of behaviours and a reminder about not blaming or shaming others, Dr Mandy shared knowledge of staff taking time away from work and explained how a dysregulated
Lorrita Johnson
Dr Mandy Davis person cannot support another dysregulated person. Dr Mandy also talked about toxic stress, which is the body’s response to lasting and serious stress without enough support from a caregiver. Delegates were invited to think about their own toxic stresses, how they present them to others and what the signs might be. The session emphasised that being trauma-informed is a way of being. It is not a manual, but one piece of the puzzle in the support that the HSU offers. Delegates were encouraged to always look through a trauma lens and deal with situations with compassion. They also had time to think not only about what the HSU team do, but also why they do it. Core Recovery Development Officer Major Lynden Gibbs spoke about core recovery and understanding that long-term recovery is more likely when someone has a spiritual element in their lives. He spoke about the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13–35) and how it offers today’s disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence, gain fresh understanding of his transforming grace and form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity. Other sessions touched on homelessness accommodation plans such as Malachi Place in Ilford and the NAPpads piloted by the Army in York. A cultural competence speech was marked by the words of Catherine Booth: ‘There is no improving the future without disturbing the present.’ The conference left everyone present with a feeling of being part of something both powerful and inspiring.
