Threshold - Our Stories ::

The Zone - Our Stories

Sandra - Stockport Floating Support

Stockport's floating support team ran a stall at the area's Supporting People Providers' Forum on Friday 27th November, with the added help of one of their service users, Sandra Davis. Despite being nervous on the morning, Sandra took the stage in front of the whole forum and delivered an insightful and heart warming speech:

"Hello, my name is Sandra. The past two years I've been in a rut. I lost a friend of mine of twenty two years, called Dave, then I lost my dog Sophie of ten years, which Dave had bought me. After that I felt completely and utterly lost, as I didn't have anyone.

"I then started to self-harm, took several overdoses and got into trouble with the police. I got arrested and put on probation. I was having problems with my housing so my probation officer referred me onto Threshold. Threshold have helped me tremendously, they have been an inspiration in my life.

"I did get into further trouble, where I was facing a prison sentence. Threshold came to support me in court and the judge said he would give me a second chance, partly because of the outside help I was getting. I have now been given a community sentence and volunteer in the Mind charity shop, as well as doing my community sentence there.

"A few weeks ago I was coming out of the Volunteer Centre in Stockport where I had been to try and get some work with elderly people. I saw an old man struggling down some stairs and could see that he was going to fall. I helped him and put my coat under his head as a pillow. I called an ambulance and waited with him until it came.

"I have now been offered my own flat away from my old neighbourhood and moved in this week. I feel very happy and content with my life now."

Helen McCreave from Threshold thanked Sandra for her contribution and spoke on behalf of all listening when she said that Sandra was an inspiration to us all. Despite her initial nerves, Sandra felt accomplished to have spoken in front of so many people, and spent the rest of the event chatting to the other attendees and enjoying the stalls and other activities.

Jade from Glamorgan Place

Jade was referred to us in February 06 when she was just sixteen years old and six months pregnant. Jade’s mother had left the country and Jade was made homeless.Since becoming homeless she spent months staying with various friends on their sofas, until referring herself to Glamorgan Place.We assessed Jade’s support needs and offered her a two bedroom flat here at Glamorgan Place. Jade and her baby son Makai moved in when a vacancy became available in August 06.

Since living at Glamorgan Place Jade has been continually supported by myself, and has developed and improved her ability to live independently. Jade has coped extremely well whilst living at Glamorgan Place and has always paid her rent on time and kept up to date with all utility payments. Jade has maintained her tenancy to very high standard.

Jade then felt that she was ready to take another step towards independent living with her 13 month old son, Makai, which was to move to a more permanent tenancy with the help of Floating Support, which offers a full resettlement programme for as long as is needed.

Jade has now moved to a two bedroom property by First Choice Homes. Before moving into her new property, Jade was very much involved in service user meetings and activities such as domestic violence talks, a fire safety presentation and many other events that have taken place at the scheme. This has built Jade's self esteem and confidence, which has led to many opportunities enabling her to start and complete a course with Brook Advisory centre. Then in September 2007, Jade enrolled at college to study health and social care with counselling skills. Jade is now doing her placement with Brook and doing extremely well in her course and currently uses the laptops atGlamorgan Place to do her assignments.

Claire Roach, Support Worker
March 08

Jade says:

Woohoo! I am so happy I’ve got into college and it’s all thanks to staff at Glamorgan Place. They found a course that was perfect for me, they phoned nearly the whole world organising funding and childcare and I wouldn’t be on the path to a career without them.

It goes to show that if you have a baby when you’re young it doesn’t have to be what all your life is about. Thank you so much for your help and support, but most of all for believing I can do it.

Kay’s story from Westbrook

To women who may feel a bit fed up in Westbrook and are thinking of getting out, moving on, please take five minutes to read this before making any rash decisions.

My name is Kay and I had just turned 17 and was six months pregnant when I came to Westbrook. Although I found the staff very pleasant and helpful, it wasn’t home, and as the birth drew nearer I just wanted to be in my own home with my baby.

Sometimes I found it difficult, not having my own space and privacy, and after the birth of my lovely son Adam, I felt frustrated that we didn’t have our own place.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and started to make enquiries about private renting. The staff at Westbrook advised me against this and suggested I should wait until a move on property was available and that I might regret my decision in the future.

To cut a long story short, when my son was three months old I left Westbrook, against their advice, and now regret my decision as my landlord isn’t very good.

The house is in need of repair such as new windows, doors, carpets etc. My landlord doesn’t seem very interested in my complaints and I feel as though he fobs me off and doesn’t care. Because I am privately renting, I have to find £50 per month towards the rent. That’s £600 a year!!

The staff at Westbrook give advice for a reason. I know you may feel frustrated at times, but bear my story in mind when thinking of moving on.

Kay Edwards and Adam
Ex Westbrook Residents
Feb 08

There Is Light at the End of the Tunnel for Stuart

My name is Stuart. I was just an everyday, ordinary, average person, always believing that I could cope, with a degree of confidence, with any problems that arose in my life.

This was to be well illustrated over a period of months during 2007. Do not ask me how it came about, but I was to experience one of the worst financial, emotional, and traumatic periods of my life so far. Having a long history of drink problems and mental health issues, I found myself on a self destructive spiral of severe debt, rent arrears, and was diagnosed by my doctor as suffering from severe depression. Constant demands for money and endless threats of impending legal action to seek possession of my council flat left me in such a state of despair that I even attempted to take my own life.

I had no hope, no future, and at that time was totally incapable of dealing with the simplest of tasks that would enable me to resolve my insurmountable problems. I just sat alone at home, unable to think of anything but the prospect of shortly becoming homeless. Constant phone calls to my local authority concerning my rent met with little or no response, sympathetic or otherwise. Problem after problem arose, barrier after barrier needed to be overcome. I was unable to cope and needed serious help. I felt totally alone and could only envisage a very bleak future ahead.

I knew that I could not resolve my mounting rent arrears, debts and health issues by myself. I just was not capable at that time.

That help that I so desperately needed arrived in the form of what was then known as Threshold Housing Project, and in the form of a gentleman named Lee. We arranged an initial meeting at my home, and though I say it myself, when he arrived I was a complete quivering, crying, mess. During the meeting, I was assured that there was nothing in my current situation that in time could not be overcome. All it would take was a willingness to take advice and to work together in partnership, however hard it seemed to me at the time, to resolve the issues that were so destroying my confidence and health.

Almost from day one I felt I had an ally, I was no longer alone. Someone cared. After the meeting, it was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Over the following months we arranged regular meetings and, slowly but surely, my situation began to improve.

Over the next few weeks we devised actions to be taken, we attended meetings together with my local authority and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Lee worked tirelessly on my behalf. We encountered barriers with the benefits system, sometimes to the point of total frustration, but Lee was a constant source of inspiration. We worked as a team, in partnership, and it was not long before what seemed an impossible situation some weeks previously began to ease. I found that problems that had so engulfed my every existence and every thought were now not so daunting. I was gaining in confidence, officials and the local authority were taking notice of me. As a result, dealing with red tape and outside agencies became easier.

Twelve months on I am proud to say my debts are now manageable, my rent arrears are nil, the threat of eviction no longer exists. I have regained my self respect, confidence, my whole outlook on life has changed, and I am back in the land of the living.

Threshold entered my life at a time when I was most vulnerable, I thank them for showing me a side of myself that was always within me, and they provided the inspiration and the tools to bring it out of me. I will forever be in their debt.

Thanks, Stuart.

About Us Our Vision Our Values Our People Our Policies Our Outcomes Annual Report & Accounts What We Do Supported Housing Floating Support Learning Project Search Our Services Oldham Services Floating Support Supported Housing Glamorgan Place Resettlement Services Shepley House Services Spring Street Stockport Services Floating Support Tameside Services Floating Support Supported Housing Stamford Villa Westbrook Jobs The Zone Have Your Say Newletters Our Stories Advice & Information Activities Artwork Homeless World Cup Football League Learn 2 Cook	The Zone - Our Stories Sandra - Stockport Floating Support Stockport's floating support team ran a stall at the area's Supporting People Providers' Forum on Friday 27th November, with the added help of one of their service users, Sandra Davis. Despite being nervous on the morning, Sandra took the stage in front of the whole forum and delivered an insightful and heart warming speech: "Hello, my name is Sandra. The past two years I've been in a rut. I lost a friend of mine of twenty two years, called Dave, then I lost my dog Sophie of ten years, which Dave had bought me. After that I felt completely and utterly lost, as I didn't have anyone. "I then started to self-harm, took several overdoses and got into trouble with the police. I got arrested and put on probation. I was having problems with my housing so my probation officer referred me onto Threshold. Threshold have helped me tremendously, they have been an inspiration in my life. "I did get into further trouble, where I was facing a prison sentence. Threshold came to support me in court and the judge said he would give me a second chance, partly because of the outside help I was getting. I have now been given a community sentence and volunteer in the Mind charity shop, as well as doing my community sentence there. "A few weeks ago I was coming out of the Volunteer Centre in Stockport where I had been to try and get some work with elderly people. I saw an old man struggling down some stairs and could see that he was going to fall. I helped him and put my coat under his head as a pillow. I called an ambulance and waited with him until it came. "I have now been offered my own flat away from my old neighbourhood and moved in this week. I feel very happy and content with my life now." Helen McCreave from Threshold thanked Sandra for her contribution and spoke on behalf of all listening when she said that Sandra was an inspiration to us all. Despite her initial nerves, Sandra felt accomplished to have spoken in front of so many people, and spent the rest of the event chatting to the other attendees and enjoying the stalls and other activities. Jade from Glamorgan Place Jade was referred to us in February 06 when she was just sixteen years old and six months pregnant. Jade’s mother had left the country and Jade was made homeless.Since becoming homeless she spent months staying with various friends on their sofas, until referring herself to Glamorgan Place.We assessed Jade’s support needs and offered her a two bedroom flat here at Glamorgan Place. Jade and her baby son Makai moved in when a vacancy became available in August 06. Since living at Glamorgan Place Jade has been continually supported by myself, and has developed and improved her ability to live independently. Jade has coped extremely well whilst living at Glamorgan Place and has always paid her rent on time and kept up to date with all utility payments. Jade has maintained her tenancy to very high standard. Jade then felt that she was ready to take another step towards independent living with her 13 month old son, Makai, which was to move to a more permanent tenancy with the help of Floating Support, which offers a full resettlement programme for as long as is needed. Jade has now moved to a two bedroom property by First Choice Homes. Before moving into her new property, Jade was very much involved in service user meetings and activities such as domestic violence talks, a fire safety presentation and many other events that have taken place at the scheme. This has built Jade's self esteem and confidence, which has led to many opportunities enabling her to start and complete a course with Brook Advisory centre. Then in September 2007, Jade enrolled at college to study health and social care with counselling skills. Jade is now doing her placement with Brook and doing extremely well in her course and currently uses the laptops atGlamorgan Place to do her assignments. Claire Roach, Support Worker March 08 Jade says: Woohoo! I am so happy I’ve got into college and it’s all thanks to staff at Glamorgan Place. They found a course that was perfect for me, they phoned nearly the whole world organising funding and childcare and I wouldn’t be on the path to a career without them. It goes to show that if you have a baby when you’re young it doesn’t have to be what all your life is about. Thank you so much for your help and support, but most of all for believing I can do it. Kay’s story from Westbrook To women who may feel a bit fed up in Westbrook and are thinking of getting out, moving on, please take five minutes to read this before making any rash decisions. My name is Kay and I had just turned 17 and was six months pregnant when I came to Westbrook. Although I found the staff very pleasant and helpful, it wasn’t home, and as the birth drew nearer I just wanted to be in my own home with my baby. Sometimes I found it difficult, not having my own space and privacy, and after the birth of my lovely son Adam, I felt frustrated that we didn’t have our own place. I decided to take matters into my own hands and started to make enquiries about private renting. The staff at Westbrook advised me against this and suggested I should wait until a move on property was available and that I might regret my decision in the future. To cut a long story short, when my son was three months old I left Westbrook, against their advice, and now regret my decision as my landlord isn’t very good. The house is in need of repair such as new windows, doors, carpets etc. My landlord doesn’t seem very interested in my complaints and I feel as though he fobs me off and doesn’t care. Because I am privately renting, I have to find £50 per month towards the rent. That’s £600 a year!! The staff at Westbrook give advice for a reason. I know you may feel frustrated at times, but bear my story in mind when thinking of moving on. Kay Edwards and Adam Ex Westbrook Residents Feb 08 There Is Light at the End of the Tunnel for Stuart My name is Stuart. I was just an everyday, ordinary, average person, always believing that I could cope, with a degree of confidence, with any problems that arose in my life. This was to be well illustrated over a period of months during 2007. Do not ask me how it came about, but I was to experience one of the worst financial, emotional, and traumatic periods of my life so far. Having a long history of drink problems and mental health issues, I found myself on a self destructive spiral of severe debt, rent arrears, and was diagnosed by my doctor as suffering from severe depression. Constant demands for money and endless threats of impending legal action to seek possession of my council flat left me in such a state of despair that I even attempted to take my own life. I had no hope, no future, and at that time was totally incapable of dealing with the simplest of tasks that would enable me to resolve my insurmountable problems. I just sat alone at home, unable to think of anything but the prospect of shortly becoming homeless. Constant phone calls to my local authority concerning my rent met with little or no response, sympathetic or otherwise. Problem after problem arose, barrier after barrier needed to be overcome. I was unable to cope and needed serious help. I felt totally alone and could only envisage a very bleak future ahead. I knew that I could not resolve my mounting rent arrears, debts and health issues by myself. I just was not capable at that time. That help that I so desperately needed arrived in the form of what was then known as Threshold Housing Project, and in the form of a gentleman named Lee. We arranged an initial meeting at my home, and though I say it myself, when he arrived I was a complete quivering, crying, mess. During the meeting, I was assured that there was nothing in my current situation that in time could not be overcome. All it would take was a willingness to take advice and to work together in partnership, however hard it seemed to me at the time, to resolve the issues that were so destroying my confidence and health. Almost from day one I felt I had an ally, I was no longer alone. Someone cared. After the meeting, it was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Over the following months we arranged regular meetings and, slowly but surely, my situation began to improve. Over the next few weeks we devised actions to be taken, we attended meetings together with my local authority and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Lee worked tirelessly on my behalf. We encountered barriers with the benefits system, sometimes to the point of total frustration, but Lee was a constant source of inspiration. We worked as a team, in partnership, and it was not long before what seemed an impossible situation some weeks previously began to ease. I found that problems that had so engulfed my every existence and every thought were now not so daunting. I was gaining in confidence, officials and the local authority were taking notice of me. As a result, dealing with red tape and outside agencies became easier. Twelve months on I am proud to say my debts are now manageable, my rent arrears are nil, the threat of eviction no longer exists. I have regained my self respect, confidence, my whole outlook on life has changed, and I am back in the land of the living. Threshold entered my life at a time when I was most vulnerable, I thank them for showing me a side of myself that was always within me, and they provided the inspiration and the tools to bring it out of me. I will forever be in their debt. Thanks, Stuart.
Site Conditions © Threshold