Our New Office Opens!
Haven’s head office recently moved to a new location in Gateshead. The opening was performed by the Lord Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear, Mrs Susan Winfield OBE and covered by the Sunday Sun. Below are the details from the newspaper story;
By Darren Kelso at The Sunday Sun
A Tyneside charity which supports people suffering a range of problems has marked its 40th birthday with the opening of a new headquarters. Haven Tyneside offers wide-ranging support for individuals to help them tackle a number of issues, including recovering from addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and learning new skills to help gain employment
Over the years, the charity has helped numerous people, including Ms A, who had a difficult relationship with her family and, after struggles with mental health and substance abuse, spent time in and out of hostels before receiving help from Haven. Ms A revealed: “Haven didn’t give up on me and stuck with me and fought my corner. Two weeks after I came to live with Haven went into hospital for my detox. When I came out of hospital, I had my first sense of feeling in control of my life and I was terrified. My key worker saw me every day and that daily contact made all of the difference to me. We would go out and spend time in a ‘normal’ environment and we would talk about how I was coping and how to stay in control. I felt included and listened to and felt for the first time that I had a say in how my life was and was going to be. My confidence increased.” She added: “I worked with Haven to be able to get my own flat and be able to manage it. I moved into my lovely little flat and furnished it with Haven’s help. I have been in my home for four years now. It’s still hard sometimes but I try my best to manage and I am where I never thought I could be and wouldn’t be without Haven.”
Another former resident who received help from Haven was Mr B after he got into trouble with the police. He was referred to the charity by his probation officer and they not only found him a safe place to live but helped him on the road to employment by learning new skills and experience. “I was asked to became part of Haven Residents’ Working Group which I found great, and I felt that my opinions and ideas counted,” Mr B said. “My self-assurance continued to grow. I liked to help out on Haven’s Festive days and help cook the festive dinner with Haven staff. After working with Haven I had the opportunity to move into a private rented flat, I got a dog, something I had always wanted to do. I started working soon after at a large restaurant chain and I am now training to become a hairdresser. I took driving lessons, passed my test and bought my first car. I met my partner and we started to spend more time with each other and moved in together. We are planning to get married next year.” He added: “I don’t know what I would do without Haven. Thanks to them I had the confidence and ability to move on and would not be where I am today. I will never forget.”