Portrait exhibition celebrates people who survived addiction

Portraits celebrate people who survived addiction A charity helping people get their life on track after suffering from addiction is hosting a portrait exhibition to celebrate its anniversary.

Developing Health & Independence (DHI), based in Bath, has been around for 25 years, providing housing and drug and alcohol treatments for people across Somerset and Bristol.

An exhibition of photographs of people who have used the service will be shown at the Museum Of Bath At Work from 5-8 November.

Photographer Darius Jéan said about the portraits: "What I really wanted to come across was people coming out of the darkness and in to light."

Support and stability Mr Jéan has also used DHI's service in the past.

"DHI supported me through a very vulnerable time in my life," he said.

"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."

He said the idea behind the exhibition was to make a coffee table book celebrating 25 years of DHI by showing 25 service users.

Mr Jéan said: "I was being really spontaneous in the moment, creating something out of nothing.

"It feels exciting to be part of the 25th anniversary, to watch such an incredible organisation, which has influenced my life, just keep going and to survive 25 years is no easy task."

Laura, who also features in the exhibition, was addicted to crack, heroin, and spice.

Her addiction led to a tragic explosion in her home, landing her in prison.

When she was released she was still dependent on substances, but DHI's criminal justice team helped her to get her life back on track.

Laura said: "DHI showed me that I didn't have to hide what I had been through.

"They made me feel welcome and part of something, which greatly helped in my recovery."

Laura is now a Peer Mentor with DHI, running support groups for others in DHI's criminal justice service.

Rosie Phillips, who launched the charity in 1999, said she "loves the challenge".

"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."