Autumn Online comes to a close!

It's been a very busy couple of months running 'Autumn Online' which aimed to build the confidence of 30-50 people, who have experienced homelessness and/or addiction, with using the web.

Watching each other’s first video blogs at Bondway Service

Watching each other’s first video blogs at Bondway Service

Equipped with laptops and cameras, the On Road team spent two days in each service helping residents with basic online skills, blog writing and video blogging. 

The hope was that participants would enjoy the experience of creating online content and feel more confidence to use the web as a result, whether by keeping in touch with people by email or by accessing information that can help them, like news and support websites and public services online.

On Road  held drop-in workshops in 5 different Single Homeless Project services across London; Arlington Road hostel, 165 Project in King's Cross, the Dennis Handfield House, Highbury New Park hostel and Bondway advice and support service.

Participants learned how to set up email addresses and access public service websites like the Post Office, NHS and Direct.gov. They gained confidence in typing, using the mouse, searching for information and getting online. Working in small teams, they were shown how to use simple flip cameras, interview each other and edit short videos which were then uploaded onto Youtube. You can watch some here.

Many people were interested in writing for Unheard Holler (the blog On Road helped clients to set up back in September 2011) and there has certainly been some rich content up there! People have shared their personal experiences and journeys, contributed poetry, drawings, music and videos. There has been a lot of thought and time put into posts about raves and republicanism, medication and movie reviews, detoxing and democracy, careers and creativity - not to mention gardening! And there's more to come…

Check out the photos from all the workshops on Facebook.  If you're a client and want to get involved with the blog speak to your SHP service manager. If you want to learn more about the project contact Alana (alana@onroadmedia.org.uk). 

Life Saver

I just want to tell you about my experience during treatment for Hep C. To be honest it is hard, but for people like us with addictions etc., so is life eh? So, don’t let that bother you. Yes, it’s long but like a prison sentence it starts off slow and once you’re into it and stable it’s coming to an end. Once halfway you will want to finish it. At no time did I want to stop. The decision to do treatment was easy because I  wanted to do something positive for my health in a controlled environment with support, plus I had a nurse at the hospital too who was there throughout the course. I was seen quickly at the hospital so it wasn’t a pain. The mental side of it was to begin with a nightmare, it took four to five weeks to get the medication right then I lost the bears head and started being approachable again. One thing I will say is I wish someone had told me what to expect then I may have handled it better. I think I lost it once when I asked the doctor for sleepers and he told me he didn’t want to give them to me because they are addictive, not funny eh? I got them in the end, you have to be assertive with the GP.  Positives are when your liver gets an M.O.T. whether or not you clear it. There are two different types of virus. I got type one the more aggressive one, so I am not putting my hopes up. So, you have the test and find out before writing it off. If you drink it may save your life or at least put a few years on it by doing the treatment. About the medication, the weekly first injection is the one that knocks you out. The others are ok and the tablets too. I found I was tired a lot of the time and found it hard to get motivated. That is the thing I remember most and the loss of appetite. I managed to get the health drinks ‘Ensure Plus’ to get me through the treatment. Everyone’s different, if you can eat great. I couldn’t. Well, it is doable don’t let people put you off, it is your life you will be saving or extending it, not anyone else’s.

J

A long road travelled

Photo by Bern J. Altman.
Photo taken from http://www.sxc.hu/ 

I was in the army for four years. I was based in Catterick, Durham, Dorset and Germany where my regiment were. The army was one big laugh. It was the best time of my life. I got out before the regiment saw any action. My first time in prison was a week after I came out of the army in 2002 and it’s been non stop since then. I don’t think I’ve had a full year out since then.

I was medically discharged because of my mental health. Since then I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe depression. My life’s been a bit messed up. I have had counselling but it doesn’t seem to work. I have only just got my medication and really hope that will change things. I can’t even go out on my own most of the time.

I met my ex partner in 2002 whilst I was still in the army, based in Dorset. We got together after I spent a week’s holiday in Cornwall. Straight after that, everything happened at once; I was discharged from the army and my Mum died of cancer shortly after. I ended up doing a bit of time in prison and then went to live with my ex’s family when I came out. They are like my family.

I started working on the fishing boats in 2003. I was making good money. I stopped when my daughter was born because it wasn’t a safe life when you have got a little girl. It was a hard job to give up because it meant we had to change our lifestyle. I’ve only ever had one trip where we came home with nothing but other times we would get 4 grand.  When I had to give it up, that’s when the crime started. I regret it. I wish I could apologise to everyone and I could give everything back to the people I took it from. Sometimes I think I just want to get my head fixed and get back on the boats.

I separated from my ex partner in 2008 and ended up back in London where I am from originally. I came to SHP in 2011. I want to give London a go because all I know of it has been drugs. I’m living in the best place ever now. I like the cafés on Upper Street. It’s a nice city and I should be proud of where I’m from. Now that I’m not on the drugs I want to see the nice things.

My goal is in five years to become a Drug’s Worker. When I was in prison, I used to have loads of people in my cell saying to me “I’m stressed with this or that”. They would send people in to talk to me. Now I want to put something back into the community.

I speak to my daughter Kelsey on the phone every day. I haven’t seen her since 2008 I plan to go to Cornwall for her birthday. Now I’m back in touch with my daughter I don’t want to go back to jail. Once I’ve seen Kelsey I might not even want to come back to London. I could move down to Penzance where the fishing boats are.


Paul Stedman