Twenty-year milestone for Derby College Group supporting invaluable charity

Derby College has been offering its services to a Derby life-changing local charity, Jericho House for twenty years. Jericho House is a nine-Bed residential addiction recovery project, based in Alvaston, Derby that provides a holistic approach to drug addiction with elements of housing support and resettlement.

Neil Ainslie, Manager of Jericho House, Derby said of the partnership with Derby College
We have been working with Derby College now for 20 years. They provide a comprehensive range of support, starting with assessing new residents’ current level of Maths and English.
They then go on to help them achieve person-specific qualifications for the duration of their stay with us. We have so many stories where our residents’ lives has been transformed by our wrap-around care and this includes providing a route to education.

“Some of our guys had really bad experiences with school in their youth or may have learning difficulties or other behavioural issues. The teachers of Derby College are always patient and understanding and worked with our staff team to keep the residents interested and sometimes in line. I know how difficult it can be sometimes. These learning experiences in early recovery can then open up the door to future education.

“As part of our ongoing aftercare training and development program, we offer the residents’ volunteering work. And as they have then got a placement, this then opens up the door to enrolling on a BTEC level 3 Diploma in adult social care.

“The support we have had from Derby College has been instrumental in providing the life-saving service we offer Derby and surrounding areas.”

The Derby College team also provides training in fire safety, first aid, health and safety, on a regular basis. And as well as the residents, the College has also trained the Jericho House team in these areas along with a number of others including leadership. And Manager, Neil graduated as a Program and Project Management Professional from Derby College

James Broome, Lecturer of Functional Skills at Derby College commented: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Jericho House. We have adopted our teaching approach so that the training really has an impact.

“It is so heart-warming to see the men progress and see them achieve qualifications in a number of subjects. It really is so worthwhile, and it is a privilege to be supporting the men and such an important charity.”

Jericho House is celebrating its 20-year anniversary of being in Derby. Derby’s is one of five branches located across the country organised by the Jericho Society, a charity that works with individuals who find themselves left vulnerable due to addiction, domestic violence or homelessness.