About Our Supporters...
Debra has been a supporter of Simon On the Streets for several years. She donates a regular monthly amount which really helps Simon to continue its work. But what is it about Simon and its work that makes Debra more than just interested:
· How did you first encounter Simon?
I knew about the work of The Simon Community many years ago when I was a social worker in London and Brighton. The organisation always had a reputation for doing innovative work with people who are hard to reach but who have significant needs. I then came across Simon in Leeds through my daughter who has been a volunteer outreach worker for the organisation for some years
· What interests you about Simon’s work?
To me Simon On the Streets is a unique organisation. The workers and volunteers work with people who live on the streets in a compassionate and non judgmental way, offering friendship, advocacy and practical help. It can be very demanding to work with people whose lives have been damaged by their own difficult life experiences and who may struggle to accept help and make changes. But Simon workers remain optimistic - but also realistic - and just keep on going.
· What inspired you to support Simon On The Streets?
When people are down they need a helping hand and support which doesn't patronise or make them feel worse about themselves. It can happen to any of us. I would want an organisation like Simon to be there to help me if I needed it. I have great respect for the commitment shown by people who work for Simon to always being there for people in need and who stand up against the establishment which can be very critical of people who live on the streets and maybe use drugs and alcohol to get by - without always thinking behind why this is so.
Many thanks to Debra and all those who support us; especially those who give regular dontations
· How did you first encounter Simon?
I knew about the work of The Simon Community many years ago when I was a social worker in London and Brighton. The organisation always had a reputation for doing innovative work with people who are hard to reach but who have significant needs. I then came across Simon in Leeds through my daughter who has been a volunteer outreach worker for the organisation for some years
· What interests you about Simon’s work?
To me Simon On the Streets is a unique organisation. The workers and volunteers work with people who live on the streets in a compassionate and non judgmental way, offering friendship, advocacy and practical help. It can be very demanding to work with people whose lives have been damaged by their own difficult life experiences and who may struggle to accept help and make changes. But Simon workers remain optimistic - but also realistic - and just keep on going.
· What inspired you to support Simon On The Streets?
When people are down they need a helping hand and support which doesn't patronise or make them feel worse about themselves. It can happen to any of us. I would want an organisation like Simon to be there to help me if I needed it. I have great respect for the commitment shown by people who work for Simon to always being there for people in need and who stand up against the establishment which can be very critical of people who live on the streets and maybe use drugs and alcohol to get by - without always thinking behind why this is so.
Many thanks to Debra and all those who support us; especially those who give regular dontations
Registerd Charity Number 1088245
A large proportion of the people we support have issues with drugs and/or alcohol. They tend to be at the more chaotic end of substance use.
· There were 40,872 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2006-7 with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol consumption
· There were 6,743 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2005-6 with a primary diagnosis of drug related mental health and behavioral disorder.
· The total number of drug related deaths in England and Wales in 2006 was 1,573.
· The total number of deaths directly linked to alcohol in England in 2006 was 6,517. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England estimates there are up to 22,000 premature deaths per year associated in some way with alcohol misuse.
All information taken from the NHS Information Centre.
Substance use can start as a coping mechanism. We know that behind the issue is a person, and we aim to give them the support to access the right services
· There were 40,872 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2006-7 with a primary diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol consumption
· There were 6,743 admissions to hospital in England in the year 2005-6 with a primary diagnosis of drug related mental health and behavioral disorder.
· The total number of drug related deaths in England and Wales in 2006 was 1,573.
· The total number of deaths directly linked to alcohol in England in 2006 was 6,517. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England estimates there are up to 22,000 premature deaths per year associated in some way with alcohol misuse.
All information taken from the NHS Information Centre.
Substance use can start as a coping mechanism. We know that behind the issue is a person, and we aim to give them the support to access the right services