Restoring lost hope in Burnley
A recent powerful article in The Guardian by John Harris about the effects of the pandemic and the cut to Universal Credit in Burnley ended with a call for the Government to restore what they have taken away from people in this struggling community.
Working with Pastor Mick Fleming at his Church on the Street (COTS) charity, we are keenly aware of the challenges ordinary people face to simply get by each day. There is an entrenched culture of lost hope in the town. In our daily work to address homelessness, poverty, mental health problems and addiction, we know how important it is to inspire people with hope and a belief that life can get better.
What a better life means is different for each individual. The drastic funding cuts and declining services in Burnley itemised by John Harris have removed meaningful opportunities for many people in the town and the future looks bleak. For the poorest, most marginalised people, their aspiration is not for a job or a stable income, but simply to find somewhere safe to lay their head, some food, and someone to talk to.
Striving for abstinence in spite of cuts to funding and services
People’s resilience is astonishing. Even during the pandemic, with the challenges of accessing digital support over Zoom, people have striven for abstinence. One of our Burnley service users, who had lost hope and hit rock bottom so many times in his life, is now in recovery and is the first of Emerging Futures’ residents to take over the tenancy of a property we had leased and managed for over two years. With his new found independence he is now dedicated to helping others who are where he has been. He is a committed volunteer with COTS and says:
“I just want to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey to get where I am today. The staff at Emerging Futures, everyone at COTS, Teen Challenge UK Christian Rehab, my friends, and especially God, as without him I’d probably be lost in addiction, prison or somewhere else but now I’m living the best life I can – a family man and friend to many along the way.”
The future of homeless and addiction services in Burnley
New initiatives include working with our partners to open a safe space for those facing or experiencing homelessness and providing housing advice to the homeless residents of East Lancs. We are also setting up support group for families of children who suffer with addiction. This will be led by two Family Coaches with direct experience of supporting their own sons through recovery (one has completed a detox, the other is abstinent and now volunteers at COTS).
Life in Burnley was tough before the pandemic and continues to be hard for so many people. Our job is to continue to show that recovery comes from within the individual and is achievable, despite the local austerity here in Burnley. We aim to keep people safe, forge connections, build on the inner strength and resilience of this amazing community and keep that glimmer of hope alive.
