Local initiative changing people's lives
Peter Dowd MP unveiled a mosaic art work at the Independence Initiative in Bootle. The Indy as it is known locally has been providing a day programme for recovering substance misusers since 1998.
The Indy also offers a transitional housing unit (The Key) that provides housing for those who are not ready for community living or who are at risk of homelessness. They have grown form 2 units to 13 in just under 3 years, and will be opening a female only unit in Bootle in the coming months.
Local MP Peter Dowd said “I was delighted to attend the Independent Initiative today to unveil their new dragon fly mosaic, which represents transformation. The independent initiative truly achieves the goal of helping people to transform their lives. The service supports people with complex issues such as substance misuse, mental ill health and homelessness. The dedicated staff, volunteers and other professional help people to regain their lives and I would like to thank them for what they do in our community.
Jim Brett, CEO, added “It was fantastic for Peter Dowd MP to come and unveil the mosaic artwork, it was great also that Roy Williams, CEO of One Vision Housing, was also in attendance. OVH are a key partner in providing the social housing for all of our residential graduates”.
The artwork called The Dragon Fly was designed and constructed by Amanda Jane Earley who explained that “In most cultures the dragonfly is a mythical insect that represents change and transformation, the mosaic shows a picture of a dragonfly in summertime following a pathway, beyond the gates are fields of golden wheat, blue skies and green pastures. My idea was to mirror optimism, the mosaic being placed on the path entrance of The Key, so service users who enter the building will be viewing a positive visual message entwined to their own personal journey to inspire change and wellbeing”