DORSET
Dad 'astonished' at plans to axe funds for young people's homes
Grateful Mark Lewis today hailed young peoples homes in Weymouth for turning his life around. He warned that he could have ended up in prison but for the help at Anvil House and Sanderson House. He pleaded for a rethink amid proposals to axe funding for Anvil Housing Ltd, which operates the houses.
Mark, 20, who lives with girlfriend Jodie Witheridge and their 15-month-old daughter Elouisa-May on Portland, said: I am astonished that they are doing this. I used to live in the houses and it turned my life around. It helped me a lot and got me back on track. They helped me in every way possible and I dont know why they are closing down. Now I am living in a flat, have a young daughter and another one on the way.
Mark stayed at Anvil House and then Sanderson House when he was 17 and 18. He was living at a childrens home until he was 16 and then stayed in a succession of bed and breakfasts before ending up on the streets. Mark, who lives in Fortuneswell with Jodie, said: If it wasnt for Sanderson House I would still be in the same situation and I think I would be in prison by now.
Mark has worked as a security guard but is now taking a 13-week course to brush up his English and maths skills, and is seeking a work placement.
Jodie, aged 19, also stayed at Sanderson House for a short period, although not at the same time as Mark. She said: Its a stupid idea to close the houses. Theres not enough flats and accommodation for under-18s as it is anyway.
She added: The house was friendly and relaxing although hyper at times. There was always someone from the staff to talk. Even if it meant waking them up in the middle of the night, there was someone to talk to.
Jodie and Mark threw their weight behind the campaign to save Sanderson House in Dorchester Road and Anvil House in East Street. Residents and supporters have approached Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Jim Knight for support before funding runs out in January.
Borough supports efforts to save homes
Council chiefs are backing attempts to prevent the closure of
two young peoples homes in Weymouth. Weymouth and Portland Borough
Councils management committee has asked Dorset County Council to review
its decision to close Sanderson House and Anvil House in Weymouth. The
county councils Dorset Supporting People Commissioning Group decided to
close the two homes in January to make limited resources go further.
The borough councils scrutiny and performance committee met up with the youngsters from the two homes last week and now the management committee is backing their idea to refer the decision back to the council for a re-think.
Chairman of the scrutiny committee, councillor Margaret Leicester, said the sensitive decision should have gone to elected members. And after the meeting she said: Some of these youngsters come out of orphanages or have been in care and theyve not had a family home like a lot of kids. To them this is home and other people there are their equivalent family.
The borough council is asking the county council to suspend the decision until their members can decide. And they have asked for a review of decisions being made by partnership bodies to ensure an appropriate level of democratic accountability'.
James Tourgout
5 August 2009
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