York Arclight

Blogs » It doesn't get better than this

HI, I would just like to say a few words about the Arc Light Project and how it played a part in my personal journey of homelessness and drug addiction.

Anyway, I wanted to write this as although at the time I was not appreciative of the help that I was given, nor did I recognise it. I have now changed my life around a little and moved to another area.

To the staff: Thank you for your patience, the smelly mattress, the dirty covers, and free sandwiches that I was given all them years ago. I know now that this helped me to stay alive for another day and also to keep some form of kinship with the world around me. I grew up in York looking at homelessness and those with addiction problems as scum, and at times became a bully towards anyone that in that position. I then had to eat humble pie as I realised that I was one of them! the other, the outsider, the smack head, junkie, tramp (although I had enough denial at the time to still think I was better  and God’s gift, even with no teeth and track marks alover my body) Ha! Ha!

I just want to say that I think you are doing a great job with some of the most difficult people in our society. I know you all recognise that we are just products of the world around us and for many it is really not their fault they find themselves in this situation. Again thank you very much for your help!! Please also pass on my words to the residents...

A note for the residents - I was at one stage in the exact same place as you are in now and, for many, yours will be better. At the time I lived in the Arc Light, I was out grafting, selling, cheating, ripping people off and taking many class A drugs. My family disowned me, friends were ashamed of me and most people I came into contact with got their lives turned upside down. I spent many years of my life in prison and whilst all my friends were out making a life for themselves, meeting women, starting careers, partying, living happy memories, I was locked away in a 12-6 cell or staying on a smelly mattress in Arc Light (sorry staff but you must admit, the old place was like this). However all this came to an end, when I woke up to the fact that I can either stay on the margins of society, blaming the world, sucking up resentments, and entering more and more depression. Or I could bite the bullet, accept the help that I was offered, and make something of my life.

I have now changed my life around and went to University to study criminology. I achieved a BA Hons and then went onto to further this with a MA in human rights and ethics. Alongside this I knew that I had to use the experiences of life that I had to help other people and so started working for a project that helps people to recover from addiction. I have since set up three of these projects across the north of England and been lucky enough to receive promotions for my work, making me Area Manager for our services.

I have my own house, car, TV, clothes and most important memories. I have a loving relationship with a girl that I have been with for 6 years, and I am able to choose what I want to do with my life, not be dictated by the criminal justice system, welfare state, or any other hierarchy of power.

I am not writing this as a message of "the boy done good" as for me that is a load of crap. The reason I have managed to do this was through the values of the people that stood by me and loved me back into a person. Those who showed me I had potential, those who helped me to fight through the urges, cravings, and lifestyle for both drugs and crime. Those people that see through the masks I wore and recognised a person underneath, those people that understand drug users don’t fit into round holes all the time and systems only catch people, but don’t let them go. It is these I thank for my lifestyle now and it is these people that are working with yourselves.

I am sorry if this is going on a bit, please recognise that it is not from ego, but from my passion to expose others to recovery. I hope that through passing on a message it becomes contagious to others and an indigenous community of recovering addicts can be established in York.

With love, and respect

xxxxxx

Blogs » Thanks for you Support!

Peter and Ginette Cobbold and I attended services  at St Leonard & St Mary's RC Church, Malton over the weekend of 22 and 23 January 2011 - and were handed a number of cheques and donations of nearly £1,000.

A cheque for £735, from various donations, was handed over by Father Tim Bywater. This included over £500 from passing the hat round at Father Tim’s recent ‘significant’ birthday party. Parishioners of all ages also gave money as they left the church including Celine Longworth, aged 5, who has been saving up her pocket money to hand over to Arc Light.

A further substantial cheque was discovered when the envelopes were opened back at Arc Light.

The parishioners heard how we do not just provide beds and food but are increasingly organising various courses to support those who seek our help to rebuild their lives and find an interest and skills, including current affairs, arts and crafts and IT. There is also, for example, a film club and a hair and beauty group.

We would like to start new activities but need more volunteers to help it.

The money donated from the church will be going towards developing such activities.

Our links with St Leonard's go back many years and it was a donation from St. Leonard’s 10 years ago which enabled us to equip our kitchen at the Bullnose building.

We  would like to thank you for all the generous donations received.

Father Tim said: "The church is at its most relevant when people's lives are damaged or in crisis and it is an essential element of our faith that inspires us to go to the help of people in need." 

Jeremy Jones - Chief Executive

If you would like to support Arc Light in any way, please go to the 'Support Us' section of our website for further details.

Blogs » Thoughts

Sat here watching the world go round knowing the position I am in, it makes you think, there are children starving, epidemics killing millions and people having to walk 5 miles just for a drink of water.  I am in a hostel for the homeless and interacting with many sorts of people from every walk of life.  But the one thing I have come to realise over the few weeks I have been here is that some people don’t want to be helped they seem to want a baby sitter and to plod on as they have been doing for however long it may be. I am not judging these people because I have done this myself in the past.  The point I am trying to make or even realise myself is I am lucky in that I am being offered the help I need.  I have had a really bad 24 hours and the people who work here have tried to be as supportive as they possibly can.  At the end of the day though as in the bible it says God helps people who help themselves.  I just cannot understand some of the complaints and bickering that go on, so what you get a sandwich rather than a full meal sometimes but it’s still food that someone else has made or donated. I don’t even know why I am writing this to be honest maybe to get my thoughts together in my own head.  This facility is what you make of it I think.  I just wish I had not put myself in this position in the first place, but circumstances can catch up with you which I understand.  I am hopeful that with the support offered that I can break the vicious circle I have ended up in and can move on. In the end I would like what everyone wants, to be self reliant and to have my own place to live.  Maybe when I achieve this life may seem normal again. My problem is that I don’t have the answer. My only conclusion is ‘Don’t ask the question, just find the answer.’

See the film at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8K9Ryscfb0

Blogs » Poem on Arc Light

ARC LIGHT

Nights on a street, rain and cold bringing me close to defeat

Night then day, night then day, little by little losing my way

Then I was told that there was a room at Arc Light, finally a chance to get out of the cold.

So in I walked with my spirits high at least I can be dry

The computer room, the cafe and the gym, now my rebuilding of my life can begin

Got given a keyworker now not trying to suck up but with her I know I will not get stuck

Few people I know, nobody I trust but that’s the way to go

Now my future starting to come into sight, I’d best buy shades as it’s gonna be bright.

 JJ