OPENhouse, a Stroud-based charity which supports young people and vulnerable individuals across Gloucestershire, were honoured with a visit from the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Lady Bathurst.
Chief executive of the charity, Claire Mould, who has worked with OPENhouse for five-and-a-half years, gave her a grand tour on Thursday, September 1.
The charity supports around 60 people at any one time in areas such as skill development and housing.
They are currently working on an education and employment initiative, an issue close to Lady Bathurst’s heart.
“I wish we could get past this stigma of labelling somebody as not worth a shot,” said Lady Bathurst.
The creative space, where she first met the residents, was where the tour came to life.
One service user Rachel was busy making a cushion for her grandmother’s 100th birthday.
With help from OPENhouse, she is now living in her own bungalow, and has ambitions of working with the elderly.
Another resident, David, was crafting leather creations, a talent the staff love to nurture.
In the basement recording studio Lady Bathurst met Rob, who has been working at OPENhouse as a support worker for 20 years.
A music pro, he uses music production to get the best out of the residents.
“Magic takes place here. My office is right above the drum kit and I can always tell the mood of the individual based on the beat,” Claire said.
Here, she was shown a film of one resident, Josh, who suffers from grandiose delusions. Maintenance tasks calm him down considerably.
Josh paints, gardens, polishes and drills to his heart’s content, a beaming smile plastered on his face.
Chief executive Claire Mould (left) with Lady Bathurst
Photograph: Marcus Green
Next Lady Bathurst met the excellent housing and support team. They work with homeless 16-25 year olds, providing them with rooms on site at Painswick Inn House, as well as on 48 High Street and 58 London Road.
But as Claire says, “Nobody is here just because it is a B&B.”
The young people must make an effort to improve their circumstances and increase in maturity before moving into their own accommodation.
Lady Bathurst met one example of this in Lewis, who has only been at OPENhouse for just over a month and has already secured a job with Coventry Building Society, with hopes for further employment.
The staff’s pride in Lewis’ entrepreneurial spirit is evident. The VIP visitor had a good influence on the residents, making 23-year-old Andrew promise that he will get a job – and tidy his room!
Lady Bathurst was then shown Delmont’s Lot, where vulnerable individuals with complex mental health needs can live with support.
A noticeboard displayed numerous cards from residents, both past and present, expressing overwhelming gratitude.
Claire introduced Lady Bathurst to Josh, who hopes to get a job at the Star Anise Café, a central socialising hub for residents.
Hearing about Josh’s cooking skills, Lady Bathurst promised to pass him a special family recipe for pineapple pudding.
In the garden she chatted with another resident, Natalie, who showed off her adorable pet rabbits and guinea pigs.
“We used to have a no pets policy but the residents overruled that!” Claire explained.
After the tour, Lady Bathurst relished Rachel’s delicious rock cakes and spoke enthusiastically to the residents, explaining her role as High Sheriff, a position she holds until April 2, 2017.
Of the best part about being High Sheriff, she said, “I get to meet people like you, which makes my job worthwhile.”
Original article: Stroud News and Journal
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