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£3.5million homeless project opens
1:10pm Friday 28th March 2008
Comments (23)A £3.5million flagship project for the homeless has opened in Darwen.
The James Street Project, between Bury Street and James Street near the town centre, is a supported housing scheme for single homeless people aged 18 to 65.
Owned and managed by Twin Valley Homes working in partnership with the borough council, it aims to get people off the streets permanently by providing support and training.
Thirty flats, meeting rooms, classrooms, a gym, a digital media suite and medical facilities are staffed by a team of 20 on a rota system 24 hours a day.
Ian Bell, of Twin Valley Homes, said: "There is nowhere else like this in Lancashire as far as I'm aware."
Despite nearby residents' concerns about the project when plans were submitted, Mr Bell said there had been no complaints since the opening.
He said: "The Darwen Shop and Business Association have held a meeting here, as have the local Police and Communities Together team. They seemed impressed by the facilities and will be using the meeting rooms we have.
"It is a major investment into the town and we hope that people will appreciate it."
Mr Bell added: "It's not a direct access hostel like Police Street was, people must be referred by the Housing Needs Team at the council.
"We have had several incidences already where we have had to turn people away from the door. The key aim of what we are doing is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing skills training and building confidence.
"We have also set up links with external agencies and hope to get football training sessions with Blackburn Rovers."
People who move into the centre cannot stay longer than two years but it is hoped the average stay will be 12 months. Already 17 people have moved in and it is expected all rooms will be full in another month.
Ann Dearden, 19, will be moving into a flat at the project shortly.
She said: "I'm looking forward to moving in, it's a lot better than the other homeless places I've been.
"I'm from Darwen, all my friends and family are here, so moving back was a big ambition of mine."
Your Say YourThis Is Lancashire
Petrifiedhippy, Texas says...
2:46pm Fri 28 Mar 08
This is an ultimate idea, that can be applied to any city with bulging homeless problems.
Newradkid, Darwen says...
3:20pm Fri 28 Mar 08
There are many men and women on the streets that YOU owe a personel debt to,the ex service people who,through no fault of their own ,are having problems,directly because of the the service they have gone through TO GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO FREELY SHOOT YOU'R GOB OFF WIHTOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION.
So think you'r next comment through to it's conclusion,not all people who find themselves in this position are layabouts
WayneKerr, says...
4:58pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Newradkid wrote:I contribute every month through direct debit to the poppy appeal and also guide dogs.
Wind your neck in WayneKerr There are many men and women on the streets that YOU owe a personel debt to,the ex service people who,through no fault of their own ,are having problems,directly because of the the service they have gone through TO GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO FREELY SHOOT YOU'R GOB OFF WIHTOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION. So think you'r next comment through to it's conclusion,not all people who find themselves in this position are layabouts
Being 'ex-services' does not mean that the whole world owes you their gratitude for the rest of their lives just because they are on hard times.
Many people have their low points, look at the miners during the 80's but they didn't go around claiming that the whole world owed them a 'personal debt' did they?
Accept some responsibility!
I'm just glad that they haven't built this thing near me.
And yes free speech is still allowed in this country without resorting to violence you crevice.
trailers for sale or rent, darwen says...
5:29pm Fri 28 Mar 08
jo, Darwen says...
7:04pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Jackie, Darwen says...
8:32pm Fri 28 Mar 08
bill, blackburn says...
8:56pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Darwen white, Darwen says...
9:31pm Fri 28 Mar 08
NEWRADKID, DARWEN says...
11:19am Sat 29 Mar 08
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION ON PAYING INTO THE POPPYS AND BLIND DOGS BUT I DID NOT WANT TO SEE YOU BLOW YOUR (COMMENDABLE) TRUMET.
YOU ARE,I PRESUME,SHORT SIGHTED AS YOU HAVE NOT READ MY COMMENTS CORRCTLEY,OBVIOUSLY A TORY N.I.M.B.Y.
BY THE WAY I LIKE YOUR WORD CREVICE LOL VERY GOOD
Andy Millar, Buffalo NY says...
11:56am Sat 29 Mar 08
quote
Being 'ex-services' does not mean that the whole world owes you their gratitude for the rest of their lives just because they are on hard times.
Being ex-services SHOULD mean they are entitled to something. These brave men fought and risked their lives for us. What have you ever done for your country?
Andy B, Darwen says...
2:24pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Would I like a hostel in my backyard, the brutal answer is NO, and I suspect that most people would answer the same.
Newradkid - I take it this Hostel is no where near where you are living??
graham, darwen says...
2:58pm Sat 29 Mar 08
andy, darwen says...
2:58pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Bungle, Darwen says...
4:26pm Sat 29 Mar 08
i,kikabolukoff, on my way to darwen says...
5:58pm Sat 29 Mar 08
paul, darwen says...
11:09am Sun 30 Mar 08
NEWRADKID wrote:just got it i mean your name that realy cleaver its spelt backwards DIKDARWEN
WAYNEKERR THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION ON PAYING INTO THE POPPYS AND BLIND DOGS BUT I DID NOT WANT TO SEE YOU BLOW YOUR (COMMENDABLE) TRUMET. YOU ARE,I PRESUME,SHORT SIGHTED AS YOU HAVE NOT READ MY COMMENTS CORRCTLEY,OBVIOUSLY A TORY N.I.M.B.Y. BY THE WAY I LIKE YOUR WORD CREVICE LOL VERY GOOD
BigPete, darwen says...
7:50pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Despite local resident's concerns about the project when plans were submitted, Mr Bell said that there have been no complaints since the opening.
Brilliant, you bet there's nothing like this elsewhere in Lancashire because nobody would want it! And there won't be any complaints as it's only just opened. Everytime local residents and companies oppose plans and projects they are invariably over-ruled anyway, which makes a mockery of our democratic process.
"It's a major investment into the town..." quite how this project can be construed as a major investment is simply an insult to the hard-working, industrious people of Darwen, that is, those who actually make a contribution to the system.
He's a top man, is our Mr Ian Bell but he'll never live in the shadow of this major investment. Thanks pal and thanks to all those on the council who voted it through. Roll on the next election.
support worker, darwen says...
8:27pm Sun 30 Mar 08
it was only when i started to work with a man that had lived in the "model" for over 10 years then placed out into the community to learn to fend for himself as in the model they had most things done for them.......& now they are being put back into the community to learn to cope with day to day living i work along side a wide variety of people from all walks of life & i do sincerly hope that this new project works & it does teach people the life skills they need but i think darwen could do with alot of other things apart from a new homeless unit.
Not on my dooorstep!!, Darwen , last refuge of the few says...
12:35am Mon 31 Mar 08
Thirty self-contained flats, meeting rooms, classrooms, *a gym , **a digital media suite and medical facilities, are staffed by a team of 20 on a rota system 24 hours a day.
*Great the town has a gym again!!
** WOW the towns first INTERNET cafe!!
Now all i have to do is get hooked on crack, rob a judges home and Bob's yer uncle FREE heating to boot !
GP, Darwen says...
10:03am Mon 31 Mar 08
As for the guy mentioning getting back to work - you have to have somewhere to live before you can get a job... its common sense to realise that the classrooms and media facilities are aimed at getting people back into work.
WayneKerr, says...
7:45pm Mon 31 Mar 08
I'm just glad that this thing is nowhere near me.
'NIMBY'? Ur **** right i am.
If you are that concerned about these homeless victims why not open up your spare room and let them live there?
Thought not.
ConkCity, Lancashire says...
6:49pm Tue 1 Apr 08
3.5 million and 20 staff. Jobs for the boys....sorry and girls!
PRIDE: Project manager Marie Balfour outside the new hostel
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WayneKerr, says...
2:17pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Fecking brilliant!!
I don't see anyone in there that is a 'Get your lazy arse back to work officer'
Everyone else would have to work their backsides off to pay for all that.
More good tax payers money after bad wasted on these ner-do-wells.