Developing Health Independence, DHI, is a Bath based charity working around the clock to support people living with drug and alcohol problems.

DHI strives to break down the barrier and stigmatism when it comes to addictions; being the ear people need and the support to lean on when they find themselves in struggles.

The charity, who have been running since 1996, thanks to Bath Self Help Housing Association (later becoming an independent charity in 1999) run ‘innovative services to help disadvantaged people living on the margins of society turn their lives around’.

Working across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire and Somerset, DHI offer a range of specialist services; Adult Drug & Alcohol Treatment, Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Services, Housing Provision, Housing Advice and Support, Families and Carers Services and Social Prescribing, each tailored to helping specific areas of people’s lives.

Katie Rawlings, Fundraiser at DHI, told The Journal: “We work across a number of areas to meet as many needs as possible surrounding health. It is important that everyone’s basic needs are met and those from marginalised communities and struggling in society are offered the same opportunities.”

Working throughout the pandemic, DHI saw a notable change in regard to referrals of people suffering from alcohol misuse. Rosie Phillips, Chief Executive of DHI, told The Journal: “Covid made a lot of people experience exclusion, with a big impact on everyday life from social situations to work pressures.

“Furlough had a huge impact on people in all areas, and even those with resilience have found financial pressures coming out of the pandemic. These complex issues are already having devastating social consequences for those at the margins of society.

“At DHI we are seeing a huge increase in referrals for alcohol support and advice around housing in particular.

“It is critical that we continue to respond, innovate and transform our services through these difficult times. Moving upstream to prevent people getting to a place where intensive support is required is an essential part of our response.”

People in our region facing substance misuse are often forced into social exclusion, with no real idea of the help organisations such as DHI offer. Rosie continued: “Our core clients are those who are on the edge of society, who need a bit of support to get them back on track.

“As a society we are heading into a place where there is a growing need for our services. We want to help people with the burden of substance abuse, focussing on younger people by working with schools on early intervention over drug and alcohol misuse and changing the way people perceive misuse as the ‘unacceptable face of mental health’.”

The outreach work DHI undertakes in the community proves that small changes can be made to positively affect someone’s path. Home Turf Lettings, DHI’s social lettings agency, provides private rented accommodation to tenants on low incomes, housing three hundred and ninety three people in desperate need last year.

Cliff, a tenant in one of the social lettings, was facing genuine threat of homelessness before DHI stepped in, said: “If you don’t have a roof over your head your ability to mentally navigate life is gone.

“Without this place [DHI], I would be in the graveyard across the street. This place has given me my life back.”

Metro Mayor Dan Norris has been a big advocate of the charity in recent months with his support surrounding the launch of DHI’s Fibroscanner - a specialist tool that quickly measures the health of someone’s liver. Further support saw the launch of The West of England Peer Academy - a new initiative offering fully accredited training to help people to become peer mentors.

By talking to your friends and family, community organisations and Councillors about the work DHI do, we can start to reduce the stigmatism surrounding substance misuse in our region.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of support from one of DHI’s services, you can find out more here: https://www.dhi-online.org.uk/get-help

To continue the vital work they are doing, DHI are asking the public to become volunteers within the charity. If you feel inspired by their work and want to learn more about fundraising and volunteering opportunities, email: [email protected]

To help DHI continue to support people in our region, you can donate by visiting: www.localgiving.org/dhi

The Wrap, an online platform for young people, 18 and under, enables young people to get support and empower them to make positive choices and builds resilience to overcome life’s challenges: https://www.thewrapdhi.org.uk/