2018 marks 50 years since a group of Bournemouth churches came together to address a housing crisis, forming what we now know as BCHA.BCHA provides practical solutions to homelessness, unemployment, social exclusion and the need for more affordable housing across the South of England. To celebrate this amazing anniversary, we are bringing together our local community, companies, partners and supporters in a new campaign - Bchangemakers – which will look back on lives we have helped transform over the past 50 years and forward to new exciting projects and to enable us to continue to offer the wide range of services we provideWe will tell 50 stories about “changemakers” across our communities, celebrate the fantastic work of our people and partners, and equip more people to find a way to make a difference – through partnerships, sponsorship, fundraising, donations and volunteering.The campaign will demonstrate how investing in housing solutions can create opportunities for people across society. Visit www.bchangemakers.org.uk

I have been working at BCHA in Bournemouth for 4 ½ years. I began my career as a relief worker and have since worked in a variety of schemes including mental health, youth schemes and drug and alcohol. I am now working full time at Henley Court where I am a Daily Living Coach for 20 homeless residents, all of whom are in recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction and are living with various, complex needs. Together, myself and my colleague Andrea, provide support and guidance to help each person back into work through education, courses and volunteering, and eventually onto independent living.

Henley Court isn’t just a building, it is a both a home and a community. Everybody here shares a common purpose and special bond, bringing people from all walks of life together. We have 3 communal areas that provide our residents with somewhere to go where they can reintegrate with each other and build a community. This helps promote social inclusion and research highlights the importance of having a sense of belonging and acceptance as a member or part. A sense of belonging is a human need, just like the need for food and shelter. Feeling that you belong is most important when searching for value in life and in coping with the intensely painful emotions that our residents experience on their journey through recovery (Hall, 2018). 

In my four years working in the field of addiction and homelessness, I have witnessed the difference that a non-institutional, safe and welcoming space to live can have on a person’s recovery, mental health and journey to independence. Additionally, I have seen the effects that being part of a community and having friends can have on these areas of an individual’s life and well-being.

Our three communal spaces are in need of some vital TLC so that they can once again become the community hubs of the building and provide a safe and comfortable shared space where residents can feel relaxed and take pride in their surroundings.

For this reason, I have pledged to tandem skydive at 15,000ft to raise money and transform the communal areas into bright, inspiring social spaces and would really appreciate any donations, no matter how big or small!