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DENS
Registered charity no. 1097185 - Company no. 4610820
DENS Day Centre, Bury Lodge, 1 Queensway, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1HT
Tel: 01442 275900 Fax: 01442 265687 E-mail: bury.lodge@dens.org.uk
DENS Night Shelter & Admin Office, Hemel Hempstead
Tel: 01442 262274 Fax: 01442 240496 E-mail: office@dens.org.uk
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The following are real life stories
of people that stayed at DENS. (All names have been changed
to protect identities).
Jackie's Story
Jackie was a 44 year old woman living overseas with an alcoholic husband. In 2008 the relationship broke down and she moved to live with her mother in Aylesbury. Because of the abusive nature of her marriage, Jackie was suffering from extremely low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately Jackie began to use alcohol herself as a coping method for the stress and anxiety she was feeling, whilst in this state she made two failed suicide attempts. As a result, the relationship with her family broke down and she was asked to leave. She spent a couple of weeks sleeping rough in a friend's car or on sofas before she was referred to the Night Shelter, at which point she also started using the Day Centre. However, she remained insular and would only speak to people to ask for something she wanted. Her drinking continued and following a violent disturbance she was banned from the Night Shelter.
After a few weeks of sleeping on friends' floors, in cars or sleeping rough, she returned to the Day Centre, and after several visits it became clear that there had been small, but positive, changes in her attitude - she was no longer belligerent or demanding all the time. Because of this improvement she was readmitted to the Night Shelter, was given a referral to a Counsellor concerning her alcohol abuse, and sought treatment for her depression. Following a referral by her DENS key-worker she was accepted at the Mayday Trust in Leighton Buzzard. Since then Jackie has settled in well. She is attending art and cooking groups as well as keeping her appointments for alcohol misuse and mental health issues. She has started to make new friendships, and as a result her self-esteem has grown - her drinking is now down to a few drinks spread across the week. With the support of DENS she has made the first steps towards getting back her life.
Raul's Story
Raul had become homeless after a family relationship breakdown which had not only meant that he had nowhere to live but most importantly that he could not see his baby daughter. Raul's situation was made all the more difficult as English is not his primary language. However, following him being admitted to the Night Shelter, staff were able to overcome communication difficulties after finding translation sites on the internet which converted English to Portuguese and vice versa and enabled them to advise, guide and support Raul.
Whilst in the Night Shelter, Raul conducted himself with great dignity and integrity. He was often described in our daily reports as a "model citizen". Because of his behaviour and attitudes he was given a room in the Move-On accommodation. He showed that, with the right help, advice, guidance and support, service users at DENS can go a long way in improving the quality of their own lives, and learn to live independently, knowing that they are living in a safe environment.
Raul now feels confident enough to embark on training and college courses on his own. He has achieved so much in a very short space of time, including a CSCS card, a Fork-Lift Truck Operation Certificate, a NCFE Foundation Certificate in Plastering and many more achievements as part of a Cementaprise Training Programme.
Furthermore, Raul has remained focused on his number one ambition as he strives to maintain, develop and improve his relationship with his baby daughter. This is possible with the accommodation he has in Move-On. He has established a firm foundation for not only improving his own life but to go further in achieving a regular, healthy, and progressive relationship with his daughter. It is a joy to behold Raul in his role as proud father, strolling confidently through town with his daughter, with his head held high and happy.
Raul's journey is far from complete and this is not yet a happy ending but it is most definitely a happy beginning. |
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