Homeless learning new skills on the way to rebuilding their lives

Tuesday, January 06, 2009, 18:34

A project in Bath is helping to bring more opportunities to the clients of homelessness charity Julian House.

The Meaningful Occupation Project (Mop), now known as Space 2, runs a variety of activities, including art workshops, gardening courses and cookery classes.

It was launched in 2002 and aims to give those living on the streets more direction and help tackle the problem of boredom they face on a daily basis.

The project is based in New King Street.

Roanne Wootten, project team leader, said: "The purpose of the project is to help them out and give them a focus in their day.

"It is about filling their time and giving them something to look forward to.

"It also gives people the opportunity to learn a new skill and this acts as a building block to take them a bit further.

"We also help with their self-esteem, and to help reduce their drug and alcohol use and help to stop them returning to their old lifestyle."

She estimated the project helped around 80 to 100 clients a year, although some were not regulars.

Matt Hanna, who also works on Space 2, said it had been highly successful.

He said one client – Alan – was setting up his own gardening business.

"He has come right through from sleeping on the streets and has picked himself back up again.

"We recognised he had a real skill and had a history in horticulture.

"He still helps out with the project, which is fantastic, and he is a real role model to all the other clients here.

"It is really good to see that Alan now has the confidence to help others and is now running a successful business and now has his own clients."

Space 2 is one of the schemes to benefit from the Julian House Christmas Appeal, which was launched in November.

The campaign – backed by the Chronicle – aims to raise £100,000, which is one third of what is needed to keep the charity running each year.

The appeal has just passed its halfway mark, standing at £51,000.

Fundraising manager Cecil Weir, who has been running the appeal for the last nine years said: "That £51,000 is a terrific amount of support from the community but we really do need the other £49,000.

"Otherwise it is going to make things even tougher for us over the coming year and may mean that we have to cut back services.

"If any evidence was needed as to the value of our work then all people have to do is look at their thermostats in the morning as they wake up.

"This is literally killer weather if you are trying to survive on the streets.

"Our annual Christmas appeal taps in to the fact that awareness of homelessness is much higher during these colder months.

"But we are not just a winter organisation. Demand for our services is almost as high in July as it is in December but, understandably, for the public at large the risks of living on the street don't seem to be as great. The reality is quite different."

For more information about Julian House's work, visit www.julianhouse.org.uk.

To donate to the charity fill out the form on this page or you can print off a copy at the Chronicle's website, www.thisisbath.co.uk.















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