Homeless get the chance to become support workers

Birmingham’s homeless are being given a lifeline to help them into work thanks to the Venture project from Midland Heart.

The project will give homeless people the opportunity to volunteer as support workers and use their own experiences 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 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 Derry 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 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.

He added: “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.”

He 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 homeless scheme in Snow Hill in Birmingham city centre, which 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.

Derry will help residents overcome problems including re-housing, employment and any personal issues that could lead to them becoming homeless.

He said: “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 its success, Midland Heart plans to run the project again next year.