EXCLUSIVE
A “RECOVERY day hub” to support Islanders struggling with drink or drug issues will be opened this year, the JEP can reveal.
The chief executive of the Silkworth Charity Group, Jason Wyse, told the JEP that the service would offer a “safe, non-judgmental environment” for those seeking support – and confirmed it would “definitely” launch in 2025.
Speaking after new figures showed that alcohol and substance abuse remain the leading cause of homelessness in Jersey, Silkworth CEO Jason Wyse explained that the service would be similar to the ‘Club House’ drop-in centre that the charity had operated in town a number of years ago, prior to Le Masurier’s major Bath Street redevelopment.
In Housing Minister Sam Mézec’s latest Homelessness in Jersey report, which was published last week, identified alcohol and drug use as the largest recorded reason for homelessness (14%), followed by mental-health problems (11%).
The report draws together information from several organisations providing support to vulnerable Islanders, including Freeda – formerly Jersey Women’s Refuge – as well as the Housing Advice Service, the Sanctuary Trust, the Shelter Trust, and the Jersey Association of Youth and Friendship.
It showed that, during the first quarter of this year, there were 321 service visits by 304 Islanders to the Housing Advice Service and homeless accommodation and service providers.
Of those 304 individuals, 253 people were classed as being “houseless”, meaning they have a temporary place to sleep, such as institutional or shelter accommodation.
And 32 were classed as living in “insecure housing”, which includes situations where a person is living in an insecure tenancy, under an eviction order, living temporarily with friends or family, or living in a domestic-abuse situation.
There were 10 people classed as being “roofless”, which includes those sleeping rough.
Commenting on the high proportion of homeless Islanders struggling with substance issues, Mr Wyse said: “People who have fallen on hard times, whether it’s through the loss of a job or a family member, a traumatic experience in their life – some people will turn to drink and will turn to drugs.
“If people misuse drink and drugs and become dependent, there are consequences that come alongside that which can lead to homelessness.”
Mr Wyse stressed that the link between the two issues was “not new”, but noted the importance of greater awareness and welcomed the report’s publication.
“The more we talk about this and the more we put it on the agenda, the more opportunity and chance [there is] of doing something to make the change.”
