Pictured: Duane Derry
Birmingham's homeless are being given a lifeline to help them
into work thanks to the groundbreaking Venture project from Midland
Heart.
The award winning housing and care organisation gives its
customers the opportunity to volunteer as support workers and use
their own, often harsh life experiences, positively to help others
in similar positions.
It is hoped the volunteer experience will help those involved
make a career in support work.
The project has already proved a huge success following a
recruitment drive in April, when 29 homeless customers applied to
become part of the project.
From those applications, six successful candidates were selected
to take part in 'Venture' and became volunteer support workers,
spending two days a week working at various Midland Heart schemes
in Birmingham.
Duane Derry, a Midland Heart customer and Venture project
volunteer said:
"I was approached by my support worker who said it would be a
good opportunity for me. I was intrigued as I'd always wanted to
see what it's like on the 'other side' of the system, so to
speak."
Ten years ago Duane had hit 'rock bottom' following the
breakdown of a relationship and consequently found himself getting
in to trouble with the law. He has since worked hard to get a job
and place to live, but at the beginning of this year Duane was
homeless after being made redundant from a job as a demolition
worker. Getting support from Midland Heart and joining the Venture
project has turned his life around.
Duane adds: "I've put that part of my life well and truly behind
me and from now on I'm taking the opportunity I've been offered
with both hands and making the most of my own experiences to help
others who find themselves in similar circumstances.
"I haven't found the work too difficult as the staff have made
me feel really welcome and are always on hand to help with any
queries. It's really rewarding to help other people get their lives
back on track."
Duane has just secured a full time paid job as a support worker,
starting in the New Year. He will be working at Midland Heart's new
groundbreaking homeless scheme in Snow Hill in Birmingham city
centre. The scheme will provide 92 apartments and facilities
including training areas, an IT suite and a social enterprise
business designed to help individuals develop skills and work
experience.
Duane will help residents overcome problems including
re-housing, employment and any personal issues that could lead to
them becoming homeless.
"I'm so happy to have the chance to be a support worker full
time at Midland Heart. I love it that two days are never the same
and obviously am looking forward to having job security. I would
recommend support work and the Venture project to anyone; it's been
an amazing experience".
Following the success of Venture, Midland Heart plans to run the
project again next year.
Steve Philpott, Midland Heart's Places of Change programme
manager said: "It's a test of our values, that by investing in our
customers we can harness their strengths, improve our services and
change people's lives. I hope that the principles of the project
are ones we can develop further in our business".