While serving a prison sentence I came into contact with a chaplaincy member who was connected with the House of Genesis. After much discussion I realised this would be the best place to support me post release from prison as I had in the past issues around my use of alcohol and would be homeless.
On release probation placed me in accommodation that offered no support in anyway. Shortly I was invited to an interview with the House of Genesis. It was a friendly affair and I was offered a place. However, probation decided it was not appropriate. Although these people did not know me, they fought my corner and, in a few days, I did indeed move in.
This place was home for me, a relaxed atmosphere from where I was supported to re build life with an appropriate level of support as needed. As you can imagine not everything was straight forward. There were many issues to address. First, I managed to secure full time employment this was central to my re-integration into society. Then as I started contact with my children the staff of Genesis supported and put into place everything required to enable contact with them. Family is vital and without this support and practical solutions this may have been far more difficult.
It's fair to say my relationship with probation was fractious and the intervention from Genesis was much appreciated. It is true I was driven to succeed and achieve goals at pace and despite being considered to be pushing too hard at times I was always supported and able to make my own choices. I later secured far better employment in my field of expertise. After around six or seven months I felt it was time to move on and again was supported through the process as needed.
So today I have employment as a manager for a recruitment agency, better than before and have stable relationships with my children. I also have no issues with alcohol today. This was all achieved thanks to the support and belief that Genesis had in me and I owe them a huge debt. The ethos of this place is absolutely spot on to support those who are motivated to change and re build lives. If I can ever do anything to support in any way I will do my utmost to support these guys but whatever I did would never repay the debt I owe.
Mike S.
Mr H
I was at The House of Genesis for about two years. From the interview, through to me leaving I found the staff there to be helpful and encouraging.
It was great to move into my own room, and have a place that I could settle into after leaving prison and the AP accommodation. The room was well furnished and equipped with everything that a single man needed. The shared kitchen was equipped, and it was here that relationships with the others is built – either by sharing a chat over coffee or when I was cooking.
My key-worker supported most (if not all) of the things that I did and even helped to arrange follow up hospital appointment that had been made whilst I was in custody. It was with their encouragement that I was able to go out and create a future career for myself.
Thank you Donna and team for all of your hard work – missing you all.
Our chaplain will regularly hold events to mark the major Christian festivals. These are completely voluntary for both staff, residents and supporters. Sometimes they make quite an impression as he reports here:
On the 14th April 2022, Maundy Thursday, a small group, which included a couple of residents, gathered at Laundry Close for an Easter Service. After starting with some refreshments - tea and coffee, hot cross buns and cakes - we went through to the conservatory where we held the worship service.
As chaplain I explained how on Maundy Thursday Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and instructed them to do likewise. Afterwards Jesus said, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34.
The name Maundy is believed to come from the Latin "Mandatum", which means "commandment", because on this day Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment.
As a group we shared "highs" - the good things in our lives and "lows" - the more difficult things, and we spent time giving thanks to God.
After singing the hymn, "Meekness and Majesty", one of the residents, shared his testimony of how he came to faith in prison and encountered Jesus there. He described how he felt he saw himself on a narrow bridge far above the earth. At one end of the bridge, he saw Jesus and as he reached out his hand to shake Jesus by the hand, he fell off into the darkness. Through this experience he felt that God was communicating to him that he was no longer on the right path. At another time, he described hearing the voice of God. After these experiences, he was convicted of his sin and was motivated to get his life right with God.
After this testimony we ended our time together in prayer, thanking God for Jesus’ death and resurrection.