Company No: 3830311 Charity No: 1078154

DHI Friends
DHI Friends newsletter #6 Autumn 2014
DHI have allowed
me to move on,
progress, integrate
Case study, page 6
Reach Out
Festival 2014
See page 5
www.dhi-online.org.uk
Out of the
shadows
Developing Health &
Independence teams up with
Natural Theatre Company.
Inside this issue
A word from our CEO 2 ... DHI Out of the Shadows 3-5
Case Study: Jim 6 ... How to donate to DHI 7
News in brief and Upcoming Events 8
I
In May this year, Developing Health & Independence
collaborated with the internationally acclaimed
Natural Theatre Company to produce four live,
interactive promenade theatre events (part of the
Bath Fringe Festival 2014) offering an entertaining
insight into attitudes to poverty over the centuries and
challenging contemporary perceptions of people living
on the margins today.
In Bath, where the performances were held, the lack
of affordable housing presents a particular issue for
those living on a severely restricted income, and recent
welfare reforms have served to compound this problem.
While soup kitchens, food banks and charity appeals
may offer temporary relief to people without access to
even the most basic resources, short-term support often
only serves to put a plaster on wounds that simply will
not go away without long-term investment from society
as a whole. But this is not a new situation, as Out of the
Shadows showed.
Over the past centuries, many generations have
struggled with the issue of relief for the poor, being
generous when the economy is buoyant, and blaming
Continued on page 3...
DHI Friends Issue 6
I
ts not just the transition from an unusually hot
summer into a distinctly more mellow British autumn
that is making me wish those long, hot days could
linger for just a little bit longer. Not only were we
extremely fortunate in terms of weather for Out of
the Shadows open air promenade at the end of May
(produced in collaboration with the Natural Theatre
Company), but, more importantly, we were thrilled at
the amount of interest it attracted. Out of the Shadows
looked at the different approaches to poverty through
history, perhaps best summed up as patronage or
punishment. If neither offered an effective response,
the event was certainly a success in raising the profle
of DHI and its alternative approach: addressing the
underlying causes of poverty, such as lack of
affordable housing, and offering
people real opportunities to
improve their circumstances. It is
therefore, not surprising that
we will be watching with
great interest as Andrew
Georges private members
bill to reform the negative consequences of the under-
occupancy charge progress through the Lords. While
intuitively sensible, the under-occupancy charge plunges
a signifcant number of the most vulnerable into debt,
since the downsizing envisaged is simply not possible
for many for a variety of reasons, and it is hard not to
welcome this as sensible reform without getting political.
Close on the heels of Out of the Shadows, our annual
Reach Out festival could have shared the same title. The
families and carers of those misusing drugs or alcohol are
an oft un-heard and un-supported group, yet it is impossible
to underestimate the effect of addiction on them; many
suffer anxiety, depression and poor health because of
the stresses and strains in their lives. We were therefore
delighted to have John Taylor bass player and co-founder
of Duran Duran sharing his personal experiences
of addiction and recovery with those affected by
a loved ones substance misuse, which certainly
raised the profle of the event, thereby helping to
tackle the stigma and isolation of those affected.
Which leaves me to invite you all to our annual event,
which is taking place at Bath Royal Literary and
Scientifc Institution on November 25 at the usual
time of 6pm. If youd like to join us, please
see page 8 for further information.
A word from our CEO
Developing Health
and Independence
would like to offer our
sincere condolences to
the family and friends
of Anna Marie Witt,
who worked for us for
nine years until her
untimely death at the
age of just 46 in July
this year. Anna will
be greatly missed by
all of us.
Rosie Phillips
and John Taylor
Issue 6 DHI Friends
3
those perceived to be a drain on the economy when
recession hits - in effect, we either patronise or punish
according to our own circumstances.
As the Out of the Shadows walks progressed, Natural
Theatre Company players and DHI service users
presented thought-provoking scenes from the Roman,
Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and 1960s periods for
contemporary consideration. Some of the integral
scenes were devised by clients who participate in DHIs
Creative Writing Group, and their input proved to be
invaluable to the event as a whole. Each of the four
walks attracted audiences of 120+, concluding at the
Beehive drop-in centre where DHI staff and service users
mingled with the audience, offering insight into the work
of the charity, and an approach that offers opportunities
to people to change and improve their circumstances, not
simply to have things done to or for them.
After participating in the event, dozens of people
left feedback in a Comments Book at the Beehive,
via Twitter and also on the Natural Theatre Company
Facebook page. Heres a selection of some of the
comments:
An excellent, multi-layered performance in Bath
today. Powerful juxtaposition of the appalling
treatment of poor and dispossessed people in the
past as we walk through contemporary Bath. Strong
questions asked and poignant parallels made
between Poor Law past and Universal Benet today.
Humbling and motivating Richard White
My children really enjoyed this way of engaging
them to think about these issues. Well done!
Emma McCote
Had a great afternoon following this promenade
performance, well done to all involved. A thought-
provoking and entertaining project
Emma Firman
Excellent! Katy Wallace
Brilliant! Kirstin Melbourne
Great way of informing
Susan Parsons
Congratulations to all involved a great project!
Jill Bennett
Do it again please! anonymous
DHI would like to thank all those who were
involved in making this event happen and everybody
who came along to support it we literally couldnt
have done it without you. Special thanks to DHI
service users Edwina, Charlie, Ian, Jim and Paul for
sharing their personal stories.
If you would like to see flm footage and a photo
gallery of the Out of the Shadows event, please visit
our website.
Continued from front cover
Developing Health & Independence: Out of the Shadows
Turn the page
for photos
of the event ...
DHI Friends Issue 6
4
Out of the Shadows
30 & 31 May 2014
Issue 6 DHI Friends
5
O
n June 14th DHIs
day-long Reach Out
event at The Station
in Bristol now in its
seventh year offered a unique
opportunity for families and loved
ones from across the south west to
share their experiences with peers
and professionals, and raise public
awareness of this hidden issue that
touches so many lives.
Rosie Phillips, DHI CEO, said
of the event, It is impossible
to underestimate the effect
of addiction on families and
carers of those misusing. This
conference brought them together,
alongside drug treatment and other
professionals, to enable them to
shape services and get the best
possible support.
With over 100 people in
attendance Reach Out 2014 was a
huge success and well covered by
the media, including an interview
with Family Champion Jenny
Millward on local BBC radio. The
event included practical workshops
on groups, obstacles to seeking
support, and how to help your
loved one. Plus there were moving
stories from family members who
bravely chose to break the silence
associated with caring for a loved
one struggling with substance
misuse and highlight the value
of accessing support.
It also featured a keynote speech
from Duran Duran bassist and
long-time friend of DHI, John
Taylor, on his own personal
experience of addiction as both
user and concerned other. John
commented, Events such as these
are vital to both the families and
support communities dealing daily
with issues of addiction. So often
they feel isolated, unclear of how
to proceed and silenced by
the stigma they perceive to be
attached to this widespread and
indiscriminate disease.
Reach Out 2014 festival
Raising awareness in Bristol of Carers
affected by loved ones substance misuse
This pic: Rosie Phillips,
DHI CEO, addresses
attendees. Below: DHI
Bristols Nick Booth
runs a workshop.
Bottom: Keynote
speaker John Taylor,
Duran Duran
DHI Friends Issue 6
66
I
was in addiction for 20-odd
years from around the age
of 12 until the age of 33
cannabis when I was 12, then
the party drugs, the rave scene,
pills, acid. I eventually got into
heroin at the age of 22.
I tried rehab loads of times,
but it wasnt until the fourth
time that I cracked it. My
daughter lives in Bath but I
couldnt live near her because
of the crazy house prices, so I
moved to Weymouth for a while
and then I relapsed, but that was
due to me moving to an area that
I wasnt familiar with, where I
didnt know anybody. I was in
the middle of nowhere; it took
me nearly an hour to get to Bath
to see my daughter every day,
but most of the time I didnt
even have the bus fare to make
the journey. So I got lonely and
isolated, and I think thats why
I lapsed. But in a strange way, it
was good that I did lapse, because
I found out about DHI. It took less
than 2 weeks to get into the dry
house in Bath where I lived for four
months, engaging with people and
attending groups that I otherwise
wouldnt have been able to do.
They gave me a strong foundation
on which to rebuild my life.
Now Im a few weeks away
from getting my own fat and
having my independence back.
Im in touch with my daughter
again on a regular basis, and I
mentor a 13 year old boy who
is at risk of offending. I visit
schools to talk about poverty,
drugs and alcohol, and Im going
to do employment mentoring
for young people aged 16-21. I
volunteer for Age UK too. This is
all down to the support of DHI.
Case study: Jim
When I came to
DHI, my condence
and my self-esteem
was very low, but
the future is looking
good. DHI have
allowed me to
move on, progress,
integrate, make
friends - I couldn't
have done any of
this on my own.
Jim
Issue 6 DHI Friends
7 Company No: 3830311 Charity No: 1078154
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DHI Friends Issue 4
8
DHI Expands Supported
Housing Services
DHI is happy to announce the
expansion of its supported housing
with two new properties: Hillside
in Yeovil is a six bed shared
house for those on a script, while
Portway in Wells is a four bed
shared dry house. Both houses
form part of DHIs contribution
to Somerset Drug and Alcohol
Service, offering accommodation
and support to those in recovery
from drugs and alcohol.
New Young Persons Drug
and Alcohol Treatment Service
in Wiltshire: Motiv8
We are delighted to have been
awarded the contract to deliver
Young Peoples Drug & Alcohol
Services in Wiltshire, the service
is called Motiv8. This is a fantastic
achievement for the organisation
and will signifcantly strengthen
young peoples services.
Swindon Support Planning
and Direct Payments move ofces
The Swindon Support Planning
and Direct Payments team have
now moved from their temporary
home at the Swindon Citizens
Advice Bureau to a permanent
base at at the Swindon Support and
Advice Centre, Sanford House,
Sanford Street, Swindon, SN1
1QH, a hub to numerous voluntary
sector organisations.
Project 28 selected as sponsor to
local football team
In an unusual sponsorship deal,
Bath based Larkhall Athletic
football team will have the
Project 28 logo on their shirts for
the 2014-15 season. Councillor
Lamming said I gave the
sponsorship to Project 28, a
truly worthwhile cause caring
for youngsters aged 11-17 years
of age after hearing about the
impressive work they do.
Recovery Festival 2014
Recovery from drugs and alcohol
is something to celebrate! That
was the overwhelming message
of the Recovery Festival 2014,
which took place at Woodlands
Church in Clifton, Bristol on
the 25th July. DHI was one
of an impressive range of
organisations from across Bristol,
South Gloucestershire and Bath
and North East Somerset which
organised and participated
in the vibrant, entertaining,
moving and inspirational day-long
event. It was aimed at celebrating
the successes of those in Recovery
and providing inspiration to
those working towards it.
New Peer Supporters
at DHI Bristol
Congratulations to 13 new Peer
Supporters who completed
their Peer Support training
programme this month.
Providing support to clients in
housing services, detox untis
and structured day programmes,
Peer Supporters use their frst-
hand experience and training to
make a real difference to people
attempting to change their lives
and break free from addiction.
Upcoming Events...
The 2014 DHI Annual Event
will be hosted at the Bath Royal
Literary and Scientic Institute
between 6pm and 8pm on
Tuesday 25th November. It will
provide an opportunity to hear
the latest about our services,
meet our clients and staff, and
hear inspirational stories through
our annual Client Achievement
Awards. DHI has issued an open
invite to the event. There is parking
in the Charlotte Street car park
nearby for which the cost is 1.50
for unlimited time after 6pm.
People wanting to attend should
email dawnsaxon@dhibath.org.uk.
News in Brief
Here are some other signicant DHI events that have happened
over the last few months.
DHI Friends Issue 6