Case study one
What can I say about Vision? For the past couple of years I’ve been “sofa surfing “, staying at friends and family, until you exhaust all possibilities. I split with my partner and couldn’t get myself together, going down the local council with no joy. Someone there recommended Vision. They rang them for me and, by the end of the same day, a very sympathetic and kind voice called me. They arranged a crisis loan for my month’s rent in advance and found a landlord with a very decent property. I moved in immediately. Since then, my health has improved and I feel way better about myself. I couldn’t afford the phone calls to DWP – it’s very expensive and frustrating. Vision did this for me without me feeling obliged. What can I say? Thumbs up!
Case study two
I was living a very chaotic life style that was getting me nowhere fast. Apart from in prison and in trouble, I didn’t have a place of my own or a job and felt that my options were running out very quickly. Then I was told about this place called Vision Housing. I was set a date to come and see the place that they located for me. It was nice. I was content. I became very interested in what Vision Housing was and I wanted to be a part of it. I was offered a job as a trainee. A year later here I am completing an information and guidance NVQ level 3. I have my own flat. I just had a little boy. Things are really looking up. And to do a job that has meaning. It’s good to know that you’re helping people break the offending cycle. I need help, they helped me and now I can help others.
Case study three
Before prison, I was on the streets and addicted to class A drugs. There was a long waiting list for rehab, so I needed help on release. I got put in a YMCA but I found I was pregnant. Council told me to keep wait for properties and it would take time. The YMCA told me I had to leave. Then, I met Annys. The next day I got a call. They offered me a one bed flat. I wasn’t going to lose my baby. I volunteered for Vision and they put me on an NVQ Level 3 which I passed. I am now doing a NVQ L3 in management and am hoping to join the team full-time. Now, I can give something back and make amends for wrongs of my past – I like that. Vision saved me from the streets and gave back my dignity. I am a better, stronger person and a good mother to my child. I know I would have died out there.
Case study four
I was HR manager for a blue-chip organisation for 16 years. Due to personal issues, I committed an offence and was sentenced. I lost my job. I worked since I was 18 and am now 39. Being unemployed was completely new. My priority was my home and the benefits system was a nightmare. I contacted Vision on Monday 18th January 2010, met them the next Wednesday and started the following Monday! I started as a volunteer, where I used my people skills and, having gone through it myself, I’m able to relate to their situation. Without them, I would be unemployed and probably homeless. It really is a great team.