Plymouth centre for people who’ve experienced homelessness welcomes Luke Pollard

A PLYMOUTH centre which helps people who have experienced homelessness to rebuild their lives hosted a visit by Luke Pollard MP on Friday (22 June).

The Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport MP called in to Devonport House Lifehouse on Park Avenue where he met and spoke to residents and staff.

During his tour, Mr Pollard learnt about the work done at the Salvation Army-run centre to help residents re-gain their confidence and get their lives back on track.

Staff and Mr Pollard also discussed UK Government proposals for the funding of supported housing facilities and the impact of funding on Devonport House Lifehouse.

“With growing numbers of rough sleepers and an increasing problem with homelessness in Plymouth, I was pleased to meet the staff of the Plymouth Salvation Army centre who are working hard every single day to help the most vulnerable in our city,” said Luke Pollard MP.

“Government needs to act to provide more support to these incredible organisations who are on the frontline dealing with the current homelessness crisis. Meeting residents at Devonport House and hearing their stories brings home how easy it can to end up on the streets and how difficult it can be to break the cycle of homelessness. I want to see more resources and a more efficient process of funding in order to confront this issue head on, especially given the winter we have just had.”

Devonport House Lifehouse is a Salvation Army Lifehouse. Lifehouses give their residents tailored support to rebuild their confidence, tackle underlying issues and put them on a path towards being able to live independently.

Yvonne Connolly, The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services Manager for Wales and the South West said:

“Devonport House is a safe environment where we support residents to rebuild their lives and regain their confidence. Our staff and residents enjoyed meeting and welcoming Mr Pollard here today.

“We gave him a tour of the facilities we have here and discussed the work that’s carried out at Devonport House – such as the tailored support we provide people to get ready to start a job and to stay on at work.

“Devonport House Lifehouse is a place where people can turn their lives around and we see the potential in every one of our residents. We provide everyone with the opportunities and encouragement they need to guide them onto the road towards reaching that potential so that they can break the cycle of homelessness and lead independent and fulfilling lives.”

Devonport House resident’s story:

Thomas*, 43, had a difficult start in his life. He was homeless for 14 years and a drug user before he came to Devonport House Lifehouse.

“I was adopted out of an abusive environment when I was a toddler, got bullied at school and had a difficult time growing up. I always felt out place and by the age of 17 I was taking drugs and drinking socially. I started taking heroin and ended up getting sacked from my job and I became homeless. That was very frightening and I was taking heroin and begging, busking, shoplifting, burgling, dealing drugs and borrowing money to pay for it”, said Thomas.

“I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for The Salvation Army – I would be dead. When I got into Devonport House I was able to make some massive changes in my life that I didn’t think would have been possible. It was there that I got to study functional skills in Maths, English and I also volunteered with a horticultural charity based down near Plymouth Argyle FC and I did cooking classes twice a week. I took part in the WOW project – it’s a budgeting programme where they give you a sum of money to look after and organise events. I even organised skiing and bowling trips for the residents at Devonport House while I was on the project and I really enjoyed it – in fact I enjoyed everything I did at Devonport House and that place definitely helped me to be more confident.

“I’m enjoying life now and I do voluntary work. I’ve moved to a new area and I’m doing DHI – ‘developing, healthy and independent’ training so that I can be a peer mentor and help people who are in the same place I was once in. I’m also volunteering at a place that distributes food to Salvation Army centres and schools. Now I just want a proper job and to be happy and have a normal life.”

*Name changed to protect identity.