WHAT is it then? Dunno. Some sort of hotel? It's like the Model, innit? For folk who've nowhere to live? They'll be coming from all over the place, I shouldn't wonder.
You hear all sorts of things waiting for a bus. I remember waiting for the Pothouse bone-shaker years ago.
One old dear to another: "I hear you've got married again, Edie, luv?" "No, no", Edie assured her. "I wouldn't spit in the Lord's face a third time."
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Anyway, the big white office block of a building on the main road as it sweeps along Bury Street has certainly caused some comment.
So I called into the Twin Valley Homes HQ in Blackburn to see Phil Richards, chief executive, ex-Football League referee, and a bloke who speaks with a passion about how the James Street Hostel can help our homeless and vulnerable.
You probably have a house and a car. Family and friends. You're educated and articulate. You have hobbies, interests, holidays. You have a job which pays well enough. A lot of people, young and old, don't have those advantages. No life skills. No self esteem. Nothing.
And it's these people whom Phil and his staff are setting out to help when the almost-finished hostel - council-owned but Twin Valley-developed and managed - opens it doors to its first residents.
Phil, who lives in Darwen, told me: "We want to be more than just a landlord. We want to make a difference to the lives of people who have almost given up. We want them to become valuable members of society and not be dependent on benefits.
"There's so much we can do for them. Many have missed out on a basic education. We can help. They don't know how to manage a modest budget. We can help. Their health and lifestyles may be shaky. Again, we can help."
The James Street Hostel has 30 individual rooms - some can accommodate couples - and there are excellent facilities for training and activities. The £3.5m scheme has been largely funded by a government grant but the council and Twin Valley have put up around a million between them. It's the first of its kind in Lancashire.
But has the borough enough demand for such a project? You don't see many folk sleeping rough. Says Phil: "There is a large, invisible homeless problem. People sleeping on friends' sofas, for instance. We want to help them lead independent lives in their own homes."
Unlike the old Model Lodging House round the corner no one can just walk in off the street. They will have to go through the council's housing needs department who will make a referral after an assessment. The hope is that, after four to six months, residents can move on confidently.
Phil's hope? "One day, a former resident of James Street will sit in this chair and run Twin Valley Homes and the thousands of properties we have on our books." Phil will certainly be doing his best to make that dream come true.
Posted by: darrener, darwen on 4:15pm Mon 21 Jan 08
will these 'unfortunates' be of the same ilk as the ones that were allowed to ruin Woodvale flats? The flats that cost thousands to renovate in order to be wrecked by individuals who couldn't care less about property that they hadn't put a penny towards keeping nice. It's about time that we stopped 'giving' to these people and started asking for something in return.
will these 'unfortunates' be of the same ilk as the ones that were allowed to ruin Woodvale flats? The flats that cost thousands to renovate in order to be wrecked by individuals who couldn't care less about property that they hadn't put a penny towards keeping nice. It's about time that we stopped 'giving' to these people and started asking for something in return.
It remains to be seen how successful this new building is. I, for one, hope it does turn out to be a good thing and that the 'residents' don't live up to the low expectations people have of them. I heard recently that crime figures were down 14% in December - it will be interesting to see what happens to these stats once people move in? Hopefully they will remain down and the residents will grasp the opportunity they've been given rather than waste it. If they do waste it and end up trashing the building and surrounding areas then surely it's time to try a different tactic when dealing with these people? Like darrener says above maybe 'It's about time that we stopped 'giving' to these people and started asking for something in return'
It remains to be seen how successful this new building is. I, for one, hope it does turn out to be a good thing and that the 'residents' don't live up to the low expectations people have of them. I heard recently that crime figures were down 14% in December - it will be interesting to see what happens to these stats once people move in? Hopefully they will remain down and the residents will grasp the opportunity they've been given rather than waste it. If they do waste it and end up trashing the building and surrounding areas then surely it's time to try a different tactic when dealing with these people? Like darrener says above maybe 'It's about time that we stopped 'giving' to these people and started asking for something in return'
Posted by: Grandma, Darwen on 5:25pm Fri 25 Jan 08
Darrener and Johnty make some interesting points. They are obviously intelligent, literrate and educated. The new hostel, as I understand it, is for people rather less fortunate. Ones who'd struggle to write a sentence and reckon up a bit of shopping. Good luck to 'em I say.
Darrener and Johnty make some interesting points. They are obviously intelligent, literrate and educated. The new hostel, as I understand it, is for people rather less fortunate. Ones who'd struggle to write a sentence and reckon up a bit of shopping. Good luck to 'em I say.
Posted by: thomas., Darwen on 6:47pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Well I do hope that Phil is right. Darwen has been taking a "beating" lately from residents and out of towners alike. The last thing we need is a bunch of drop outs into the mix. It is difficult to change people and their attitudes. I well remember when they were re-locating people from Liverpool to brand new multistorey flats in Speke and one of my scoucer friends remarked "Of course it doesn't matter what you do for these folk, they will still store their coal in the bath"!! I am keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well in the new residence - and no "alkies"
Well I do hope that Phil is right. Darwen has been taking a "beating" lately from residents and out of towners alike. The last thing we need is a bunch of drop outs into the mix. It is difficult to change people and their attitudes. I well remember when they were re-locating people from Liverpool to brand new multistorey flats in Speke and one of my scoucer friends remarked "Of course it doesn't matter what you do for these folk, they will still store their coal in the bath"!! I am keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well in the new residence - and no "alkies"
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