“I just want to say thank you to SIFA because without them I wouldn’t have been able to do what I have done. SIFA has been my lifeline.”
– Scott
Scott turned to SIFA Fireside for support during a difficult time. We assisted him on his journey towards stability, providing him with the necessary support and tools.
Now as a visitor, Scott came back to SIFA Fireside to share his incredible story with us, saying:
“I was struggling with addiction (drugs and alcohol), a relationship breakdown, I was going from HMO to HMO, and I just wasn’t looking after myself properly. I used to come to SIFA and do all sorts, like art, music and theatre groups. I was visiting every day.”
The SIFA Fireside support centre offers creative therapy groups for clients who wish to build on their talents or try something new.
These uplifting sessions are available alongside the provision of practical support including food, laundry, hot showers and well-being advice. This is primarily funded by donations.
Speaking about his experience with recovery, Scott said:
“SIFA referred me to rehab back in London, I did rehab for 6 months where I got counselling and talked about my underlying issues. When I came out of treatment, I did my Level One in Social Care, and I will start my Level Two this September at college. I also did a 7-week course called FreshLife where I learned life skills such as looking after myself, food preparation, communication skills and budgeting.”
Kyle, a member of our Homelessness Intervention Team and Scott.
SIFA Fireside empowers clients to lean into their interests and maintain a sense of independence. Scott’s path to recovery was strengthened by a persistence shared by himself and staff at SIFA Fireside alike. Kyle, a member of our Homeless Intervention Team, diligently worked closely with Scott, leading to this wonderful outcome:
“During this I did work experience in barista training which led to part-time work in a café, where I am still working today. I just want to say thank you to SIFA because without them I wouldn’t have been able to do what I have done. SIFA has been my lifeline.”
Here at SIFA Fireside, we are honoured to be a pillar of support to clients who are on a wide range of journeys related to the issues that homelessness and unstable housing situations can bring.
Donations allow us to help people like Scott explore their passions and establish a happier, healthy life for themselves.
SIFA Fireside wouldn’t be able to make a difference like this without the Homeless Intervention Team in our Digbeth Support Centre, which relies mainly on kind donations from the public so that they can continue to change lives.
Could you donate to SIFA Fireside and help support Birmingham’s vulnerable people, just like Scott?
Donate now by following this link and thank you, Brum.
The saying goes “you should always end on a song” so here’s Scott debuting a new song idea to his friends in the Nordoff and Robbins music therapy group here at SIFA Fireside.
