Social inclusion charity Developing Health and Independence (DHI) is celebrating its 25th anniversary, which will be highlighted by an exhibition of photographs featuring people who have used the service over that time.
DHI look to support the disadvantaged within the society, helping them to turn their life around. They approach issues holistically, believing that issues do not exist in a vacuum.
The services they provide include support for individuals suffering from drug and alcohol related issues alongside support for their families, providing advice and support to help people get or maintain tenancies, and provide housing provisions for social excluded individuals.
The exhibition is at the Museum of Bath at Work, and will run from from Tuesday, November 5 until Friday, November 8. A private launch event will run from midday on 7 November.
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“Turning Lives Around” is the motto of the charity, and the exhibition illustrates the effects its work can have on its clients.
One of main features of the exhibition is professional photographer Darius Jéan, who not only appears as a subject in the exhibition, but also took all of the portraits.
He said: “DHI supported me through a very vulnerable time in my life.
“They provided me with the stability of a place in their supported housing, where I was encouraged into education, finishing with an honours degree from Bath Spa University. By the time I had completed my education I was housed into my own home from where I was able to rebuild my life.”
DHI wouldn’t exist without the work and commitment of Rosie Philips, who launched the charity in 1999, and is still at the head of it today. She said: “I love the challenge, the diversity and the people we work with at DHI.
“Everyone we work with is struggling and excluded in some way, and I love seeing people gain their sense of place in the world, and get their self esteem back.”
The exhibition highlights the work DHI does in our communities, and the great strides it has made in the last 25 years.
Rosie Phillips estimates that more than 200,000 people have been helped by DHI since its inception. Last year alone 18,000 people in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire engaged in some way with its services.
DHI also expresses its gratitude towards Marlin Communications for providing funding for the event.