ANDREW SELOUS IN WATFORD
Shadow Work and Pensions Minister on Inner City Challenge
Andrew Selous MP is working with a leading homeless charity in Watford this week. The Shadow Work and Pensions Minister is learning from the inspiring work of the Watford New Hope Trust, a local charity providing relationship and accommodation for Watford's homeless and vulnerable.
"This is an amazing project," said Andrew as he spent the morning having cups of tea and porridge with about a dozen men and women that use the day care facility. "The caring attitude of the staff is incredible and you can see the difference it is making in people's lives."
Andrew spoke to Paul a former heroine addict. Paul had worked for Cable and Wireless when his marriage fell apart. He moved in with an old school friend who, it turned out, was a heroine dealer. "He was always offering it saying it would make my pain go away. I resisted for a while, but then tried it." After a seven year addiction Paul has now been clean for 18 months and trying to stay that way. Paul said, "The staff are here to support you all the way, to give you a pat on the back. I couldn't do it without them. I'd lost everything and now I've turned 40. They say life begins at 40 and I think for me it has."
The Watford New Hope Trust was started by two local women from a local church. It has now grown into a 10-project outreach with a rough sleeper outreach, nightshelter, daycare facilities, a furniture recycling workshop, a market allotment, a vast town centre charity shop, hostels and supported housing units.
Andrew Selous MP is visiting as part of the Inner City Challenge, the progamme that places MPs into small, vital voluntary groups who are picking up the pieces of Breakdown Britain and saving lives. His timetable included helping with breakfast and lunch at the Daycare Centre (pictured), working in The Sanctuary nightshelter, and visiting the gardening project.
23 September 2008
