Recommendation from a star “These stunning and perpetually cheerful shrubs flower in all sorts of vibrant colours during spring. I would recommend that anyone make a space in their garden for rhododendrons.” see below Don’t delay Housing Options works to prevent homelessness and can help if you get in touch sooner, rather than later. see below Property The council’s Housing Options service provides advice and support to people who are homeless, or under threat of losing their home. Sam Gough spoke to just one of the many people it has been able to help. How help turned a drug dealer into an inspirational speaker GREGORY first approached the Housing Options team when he became homeless in 2009. “I was having problems at home with my mum,” he said. “I had started to mix with the wrong crowd and had lost my way in life, not caring about getting a job, or even my own safety. “I was scared that they’d find out that I was involved in drug dealing and I was concerned that my family could be used by my mates and my gang member associates as a way of controlling me.” Gregory did not want to live in a hostel with other young men in case they also had gang affiliations. He was convinced that he could get accommodation from a private landlord and was given advice and assistance to help him do that. But events did not turn out as he had hoped. Gregory returned to Housing Options in 2012, and it turned out that he had been ‘sofa surfing’ since his last visit in 2009 – staying with friends and family but never in one place for any reasonable length of time. Gregory was in a low mood, The Housing Options outreach team can help people before they become homeless Brighten up the shadows with this ancient bloom Plant of the month from the Horticultural Trades Association BRIGHTEN up the shadier parts of the garden this springtime with a rhododendron. Meaning rose tree in ancient Greek, the evergreen and deciduous plant is in the same family as azaleas which are he had poor eye contact and had lost a lot of weight. He said his mum had recently been diagnosed with cancer and he didn’t know who to talk to as he was not close to his extended family. He had been shutting his emotions down to protect himself, and felt completely drained – emotionally and physically. Gregory wanted to talk about his experiences over the last three years but couldn’t because he was angry and anxious. ideal for smaller gardens. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil and sheltered conditions and grow best in areas with high rainfall with moist, but well drained soil. Compact hybrid rhododendrons can be planted in containers and in more alkaline soil. While dwarf alpines are very effective in rock gardens, larger rhododendrons are best left for woodland gardens. Top tip – don’t plant too “Faced with the worry that my mother could die, and the relationship I had with her, I began to self-medicate with cocaine and MDMA, “he said. Gregory said that, at times, he had slept on the streets. He was in desperate need of accommodation but the council quickly realised he needed more than just a roof over his head. He was recognised as needing supported accommodation, where residents get a range of deep. The top of the root ball should be at the surface of the ground in ideal planting sites, or an inch or two above the surface of the ground in less than ideal sites or in raised beds. Those looking for springtime companion plants to complement the rhododendron are recommended to choose from: pheasant eye daffodils (Narcissus poeticus) with pure white petals and small, red-rimmed support services to help them get back on their own two feet. He was also guided to support agencies to help him deal with his mum’s diagnosis. Gregory was interviewed by the Housing Options team and referred to one of the young people services in the borough where he was assigned a support worker. He soon realised that he needed to change his approach to managing his stress and started attending Narcotics yellow cups; corydalis China Blue with light blue flowers in clusters of leafy stems; or euphorbia Silver Swan, a striking foliage plant with variegated silvery leaves and green and white flowering bracts. Rhododendron will survive in most acidic soils and need hardly any pruning. Most garden are evergreen so their deep, glossy leaves will provide colour, even in the depths of winter. Anonymous on a weekly basis. He was assigned a personal mentor to further assist him with becoming drug-free. He worked hard to turn his life around and was accessing all the support he could to enable him to learn about himself and make the correct life choices. Gregory grew to realise that he had never thought about his future because he actually never expected to have one. The support he received enabled him to start planning and working towards having a settled home and prospects of employment. He is now able to spend time with his family members and appreciates the role they play in his life. “For the first time, I feel in control of my life and my future. I have just undertaken an apprenticeship scheme in carpentry – which is exactly what I want to do. Thanks to the Housing Options service, I’ve managed to get my life back on track.” In the summer of 2013, Gregory moved out of supported housing and into self-contained accommodation. He is now working for a housing association as a carpenter and continues to study this trade. He also volunteers as a mentor and delivers inspirational talks to young people who, like him, have their lost way. Help from Housing Options If any of the issues in Gregory’s story apply to you, you can contact Housing Options in a number of ways. In the first instance, call 7364 7474. If you cannot phone, you can go along to the office at Albert Jacob House, 62 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 4pm. You can also email homeless@ towerhamlets.gov.uk A spokesman emphasised: “One important message – do not wait until you are at crisis point. Our ability to help people and to try to prevent their homelessness is improved if we are given the opportunity to assist as soon as possible. “It gives us more time to possibly help you remain in your home, or assist you in finding accommodation in the private sector, maybe with some help towards any rent deposit.” Actress Frances Tophill with rhododendron blooms 13 – 19 APRIL 2015 N E W S F ROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 25
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