West Midlands police honour P3’s Jim Corry
Support Worker, Jim Corry, who works with P3’s Street Outreach Team in Wolverhampton, has been honoured with a Chief Constable's Community Service Award for his commitment to caring for others at a ceremony this week.
Jim regularly heads into the city centre as early as 5am to engage with rough sleepers and support them to find long-lasting routes off the streets.
Chief Superintendent Jayne Meir, from Wolverhampton police, said: "Jim is an inspiration to us all. There can be harrowing reasons why people end up on a downward spiral which can lead to addictions and ending up homeless.
"As a force we are committed to working with our partners to support the most vulnerable members of society and people like Jim play a crucial role. This was a thoroughly deserved award.”
Working 'tirelessly' to tackle homelessness
Jim works out of the P3 Navigator hub in Princes Square, which also offers drop-in housing advice and support for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home, helping them to explore accommodation options and access other services.
Among the people he has supported was a man with drug issues and learning difficulties who he found on the streets in soaking wet clothes and sleeping bag. Jim ensured the man got new clothes and food while taking a proactive role in sorting out his benefits. He managed to support the man into a new home, encouraged him to access services to address his addictions, and still keeps in regular contact with the client now.
P3’s West Midlands Operations Manager, Sam Bailey, said:
“Jim is an integral part of the city; he has developed trusting relationships with entrenched rough sleepers in our city and works tirelessly to ensure people are safe and have options to access accommodation. He never gives up, and is out and about on the streets when most of us are still tucked up in bed.”
Jim is one of the longest-serving P3 staff members, starting work in Wolverhampton where the charity had its first supported accommodation service on Thorney Street. He commented:
“It’s a team award really, I’m just a little piece in the great P3 jigsaw! When I started in 2003, we only had services in the Midlands and around 40 people, and to go from that to nearly 500 staff across the UK, we’ve really grown and learned over the years. It’s always about the individuals though – the clients who have been going through a hard time - and we work hand in hand with the local council and the police, to support those who need it.”
“Homelessness was much more hidden a decade or so ago; nowadays people are starting to realise how easily it can happen to anyone, so it’s great that P3 has been recognised like this.”
P3's CEO Mark Simms was also full of praise for Jim, tweeting:
"Jim is an amazing man who has helped to change many lives for the better #topbloke"
