From Homelessness to Hope: Ilkeston Woman Rebuilds Her Life with Support from Derventio Housing Trust
By Community Correspondent
“Be grateful, quick to forgive and don’t think about the past” – that’s the advice of one Ilkeston lady who went from homelessness and alcoholism to clean independent living
An Ilkeston woman who was once homeless and a self-confessed alcoholic is now living independently after support from award-winning Derventio Housing Trust and her local church.
Selina Baylis, 44, said she is now the woman she was always meant to be after the supportive team at Derventio and Arena Church in Ilkeston helped her get her life on track.
Describing herself as having been an alcoholic since her teens, Selina is now living in her own flat and plans to volunteer for the church after getting sober and moving past the trauma of her past.
She said: “I’m just back to who I am now – who I was supposed to be, and who God created me to be.”
After a tough start in life Selina joined the army at 16 and with access to alcohol freely available her battle with drink began.
Following many moves around the world she came back to the UK and found herself homeless in Derbyshire a couple of years ago.
That was when she was referred to Derventio Housing Trust, which annually provides accommodation to more than 1,000 people in five UK counties who would otherwise be homeless.
She said: “I realised that I couldn’t keep doing the same thing, I couldn’t keep on moving around. At some point, no-one would help me unless I helped myself.”
Selina’s life began to change thanks to the support of her housing and support officer at Derventio, Katie Greenfield, who believed she could live independently and remain alcohol-free.
The other life-changing influence in Selina’s life has been The Arena Church in Ilkeston, where she now volunteers at its ‘Hub’ group, supporting other alcoholics on their journey away from drinking.
Katie said: “I believed that Selina was going to thrive and so supported her to move on into her own independent accommodation.
“Our role at Derventio is to support people who come to our service regardless of their past. I couldn’t be prouder or happier to see how far Selina has come.”
Selina said she had learned to live free from addiction thanks to the support of Derventio and Arena Church.
“It takes gratitude on a daily basis for what you’ve got,” she said. “Don’t think about yesterday. Don’t think about the past. Think about what you’ve got today. That keeps you in the moment. Also, be quick to forgive - don't hold on to that energy.
“Derventio has given me a home when I was homeless and I thought I was going to be on the streets.
“I’m not different now – I’m the same, but without the addictions. Now I know who I am. I’m worthy and I’m capable and I’m loved.”
Selina’s new home has benefited from new furnishings in her accommodation thanks to grants made available through Derventio Housing Trust’s charitable arm, Sylvester’s Fund, which pays for one-off items often provided for people who move on into their own independent living.
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