St Vincents - Housing, Learning and Guidance

(Last update: May 16 2009)

“We have been referring clients to St Vincent’s for many years now. St Vincent’s acts as a bridge between custody and the community, taking over where our work stops.”

“Tradtionally, there are only two options for the resettlement of substance misusers after their release: a housing option which merely provides shelter, or the ‘rehab’ option which is often too far in the other direction. St Vincent’s sits in the middle; they deal with the core issues of drug and housing issues, but also with other issues such as emotional, family and issues of life skills.”

- Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare team, outer London.

“St Vincent’s does what it says it does, we have an enormous faith in the work they do. They always take the necessary time to assess someone, make them feel comfortable and welcomed. We are geographically quite far from Bristol, but it feels like St Vincent’s is close than many local projects.”

- Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare team, outer London.

“St Vincent’s has now gained quite a reputation in the prison. Many of the women come up to see us and say, “I want to go to St Vincent’s.” We cannot refer everyone there so we need to choose. Even if they do not end up going there, they feel quite special about having been considered, they feel it is a proof that they are going in the right direction.”

- Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare team, outer London.

“I can honestly say that coming to St Vincent’s not only saved my life, but also helped me build a new one. I could not have continued living as I did. Gradually I have been able to heal the wounds of the past. Being surrounded by people who understand where I have come from has been a safe place for me to open up and accept support. Physically I started taking good care of myself and now I wake up feeling alive. At first days, then weeks and before long months passed without a major crisis.”

- Holly

“By the time I got here I had absolutely nothing left to lose. Yet what I have achieved in a matter of months, by staying clean and sober is nothing short of a miracle. I do not know what my future holds, but at least I can now say I have had one good year of living after thirty-three years of simply surviving.”

- Holly

“I accepted a place at St Vincent’s. This place has really helped me. They have given me a home, not just somewhere to live. It is the first time I feel settled. Before I was always moving, I struggled inside and I was afraid of staying somewhere.”

“Without the staff I don’t know where I’d be right now.”

- Graham

“I’ve been at St Vincent’s for nine months now and it is the best life decision I’ve ever taken. I’ve begun to make amends for all the hurt I’ve caused friends and family over the years and I’ve finally started to grow up.”

“I would highly recommend St Vincent’s to anyone who wishes to kick drink or drugs. It may not be easy but the help and support provided here gives that first step needed on life.”

- Justin

“I stayed in St Vincent’s main hostel for six months and then moved on to their move-on accommodation, sharing a flat with one other man. While I was there I worked as a volunteer painter and decorator and handyman at the main hostel. Living in the flat, I was much more independent: there was no-one to make me get up for groups and so on. It all depended on me being self-motivated. I became more manageable. I kept on with my voluntary work and attending meetings.”

“I had my first Christmas and birthday outside prison for four years, That was really something.”

“I stayed in the move-on flat for four months and then got my own flat. Having my own flat was scary with the bills and all the things to buy and sort out. In the end I found that all the things that I was scared of were quite simple. I carried on with my voluntary work.”

“After months in the community to show that I could develop a routine and manage on my own I am now working as a paid member at St Vincent’s.”

- Gregory