Worksop: 7 Project is helping to transform lives

The 7 Project, based in the Gospel Hall in Church Walk, helps those who are battling drink and drug addictions and mental health issues, and find themselves homeless.

Since Shaun Cummings and his wife opened the centre a year ago, the charity has already made a big difference to many lives.

Donovan first visited in May, last year. He had not eaten for eight days and felt he only had a few weeks to live.

He was practicing witchcraft and had a history of substance misue.

But with the support of Shaun and others at the drop-in centre, Donovan has turned his life around.

He looks like a completely different man. He went to rehab and was helped with accommodation and his GP and day-to-day living issues.

Shaun said: “We try to work with people in a way where we should them love by them coming in. We show them that we care about them.”

“On the other hand, we are not going to be a soft touch and they have to tow the line when they come here.”

He added that the community has been very supportive, with businesses donating to the project. The 7 Project has secured an allotment and plans to grow vegetables to use at the centre.

Over the next year, Shaun wants to find a property where he can offer accommodation for some of the centre’s visitors.

“I’d also like society to have a better understanding of these people and understand that they can move on with the right support,” he added.

The drop-in centre is open Tuesday and Friday, 10am-3pm. A new meal kitchen is running every Saturday in February from 6-7pm.

Barry Woodward, author of Once an Addict, will visit the project on Saturday 14th June at 7pm.