Clients Archive
Clients Archive
Colebrook Client becomes a British citizen
Hishyar Mohammed Jebbo became a British Citizen on the 8th September 2009. Hishyar was born in Kurdistan and came to Britain as a refugee on 12th November 2000 having left his family behind as he could not bring them with him at the time. Hishyar received refugee status in 2003.
Hishyar lived at Seaton Avenue for a year, settled in well and soon became accustomed to the British way of life. From the time he moved into Seaton Avenue he had talked about becoming a British citizen and hopefully trying to bring his family over to live with him.
Since moving on from Seaton Avenue, Hishyar has held down a full-time job and over the past few months has started up his own car washing business in Saltash.
Hishyar completed the complicated paperwork to become a British citizen with the support of his Solicitor, Immigration, Refugee First and Colebrook staff. Hishyar then had to wait for a few years to hear if he had been successful in his application. A few months ago Hishyar received a letter from the British Embassy to say that he had been granted British citizenship and was allowed to stay in Britain. Hishyar said he was overjoyed because he could now try to bring his family over.
The British Embassy sent Plymouth City Council the paperwork for Hishyar to become a British citizen and to take the ‘Oath of Allegiance’, make a pledge of loyalty to her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and to receive his Certificate of Naturalisation. The ceremony was held at the Plymouth City Council House.
During the ceremony Hishyar shook the Mayor’s hand and had a photograph taken before sitting down to sign his citizen paperwork and the Plymouth Register. It was a momentous day for Hishyar. Derrick Taylor and Sam Harvey (Support Workers) accompanied him to the ceremony and both said it was a stirring day and a proud day for Hishyar.
Contemplating by Kevin Cooper
My journey through Colebrook
I lived in my own flat but I became unwell. My voices made me worried and told me that there were problems with my gas and electric so I disconnected them myself so I had no hot water or light. I gave away all my furniture as I wanted to leave - but I had no where to go. Eventually my sister contacted the mental health services and I got given tablets - but I accidentally OD'd.
My flat was unlivable in and I had mental health difficulties and problems with my medication. I didn't have anybody to call a friend - 1 only knew dealers. I smoked a lot of weed and had nothing to do. I failed my college course so I used to walk around town and spend all day in Virgin listening to their music – I eventually got banned from there.
We had a big family argument and the police took me to Glenbourne where I stayed for 3-4 months.
When I was in Glenbourne the ward staff told me about Colebrook and they had a vacancy in Seaton Avenue and set up a meeting with Colebrook.
To start with I went to Seaton Avenue which is a project for homeless people with mental health problems, this is a short term scheme (up to six months at that point) but as I still had things I wanted to achieve in the next two years and was working with the support, I moved to another project which enabled me to work with staff for two years and have help finding permanent accommodation. I did find somewhere and then had floating support to enable me to settle into my new place before the support gradually reduced then stopped as I didn't need it anymore
The support has helped me learn to pay my bills and meet appointments. I have had people around to talk to when I am worried about something or need to talk. I have learned to collect and take my medication regularly, learn about cooking and shopping and my diet has improved. I have been back to college and been introduced to volunteering which I did for a while. I had help finding new interests and activities and structuring my days/weeks. I had help applying for benefits that I'm entitled too and have saved to get nice things for my flat. I understand tenancies better and learnt to speak up for myself when I'm not happy about something. I have had CHS Out Of Hours Service available 24 hrs, and have used it a few times when I have been worried. Just knowing that someone was available made me feel more confident.
I have been involved with how things run in Colebrook. We had regular resident meetings which staff helped us chair ourselves and take minutes. I helped do the resident welcome pack and inputted on what would be useful in a move on pack. I used to do the Health and safety checks at the project and I have attended resident training like fire awareness that was made available to me. I never used the suggestion box as I knew I could just talk to staff in my one to one or when I saw them at the project. I have been made aware of things like interviewing and committees but I was too busy at the time. I also filled in the resident satisfaction survey.
I have found my confidence again. I have passed my college courses and am now qualified. I've got a great flat which I keep looking really good and have got my own music system and multi-gym. I have met loads of new people and have made good friends and now I’ve got my own flat I can have friends and family round. I have done volunteering in a charity shop. I have been on holiday abroad and staff help me apply for a passport and understand what I had to do to go away. I went to Greece turkey and Spain! I have applied for my provisional driving licence and hope to learn to drive. I have attended events and parties with staff and other residents.
I feel happier about my life in general and I'm still in touch with friends I made in Colebrook.
Drawn freehand By Leah Lowe
LOVE BLOSSOMS IN COLEBROOK
Two former clients of Colebrook, Lindsey and Jamie met and eventually got married after meeting at the Drop Inn
Lindsey said when she first met Jamie at the Colebrook Drop Inn it wasn’t love at first sight – but grew into this after they started having dates down the pub – Lindsey remembers their first kiss at the bus stop on royal parade and romantically Jamie gave Lindsey his jacket!
Then at the drop inn on 26th October 2006, Jamie popped the question, on bended knee in front of everyone. Jamie said ‘I felt shy and nervous at first but when Lindsey said yes I felt over the moon’
An engagement party was held at Milehouse and everyone had a great time. Colebrook clients and staff attended the party and the wedding
The actual wedding was held 26th September 2008 exactly 2 years after Jamie asked Lindsey to marry him. The couple tied the knot at 2pm at the registry office and the reception was held at the Copthorne Hotel.
The honeymoon was at Disneyland in Paris – the couple stayed for a week and had an amazing time – despite getting stuck on a boat.
Both Jamie and Lindsey are happy and living together and now no longer need the support of Colebrook.
Lindsey says ‘without Colebrook and the Drop Inn we would never have met’.