When it comes to us keeping bees onsite, the benefits far outweigh the threat of being stung! At Rooted in Hull, one of our main objectives is to bring people in our community together as we know the more time people spend in the company of others, the more opportunities they have to make real connections that help them to feel more engaged in society. This in turn prevents people from suffering the downsides of isolation and feelings of loneliness, especially for those groups in our community who for a number of various reasons, find themselves at risk of becoming marginalised.

This week we had a chat with Darren who has been attending Rooted in Hull for many years. Over half of his life was affected by addiction, leading to a life of increased isolation and inwardness, certainly a lack of confidence before a chance marketplace encounter with our site manager Martin King.

I recently observed Darren as he continued his role as one of Rooted in Hull’s beekeepers as he ran a small session, showing three others how to check the bees over.  I learned so much from Darren by simply standing close to him and taking a few shots, but what I found most endearing was his confidence, which oozed from his very being, especially when he could tell that his three students were getting slightly nervous. I even wrote down the phrase he used to appease one of his jittery helpers…

 “You’re alright, Man!” he said, and even I felt more relaxed at the obvious confidence in his voice.

We didn’t fix Darren, far from it.  That sort of healing must come from within, but our site has definitely given Daren and many more like him a platform to work from, “a replacement” he calls it, in his own words below. You can follow Darren on Instagram where he oozes confidence yet again, calling himself, Heroin to Honey.

@HerointoHoney

Darren Writes:

“After being torn up by addiction for over 25 years that resulted in much heartache and destitution, I unceremoniously ended up in Hull. By chance I bumped into Martin, who has a reputation for picking up waifs and strays and helping them. He asked me to come along to Rooted in Hull and start volunteering. This chance encounter was the beginning of much change in my life. The life I had led up to this point, had left me an empty shell of a human being devoid of any confidence. I could hardly talk and could not look people in the eyes due to being filled with shame. I started attending Rooted in Hull regularly and quickly realised it was a calming and supporting environment, just what I needed to rebuild my fractured self and allow my nervous system to recalibrate.

Taking heroin is a very practical activity, keeping one busy for many hours a day. I had to find a replacement and Rooted in Hull, the little oasis by the river, provided the means for some positive focus. I kept my mind and hands busy, completing tasks from filling skips with mud to building a stage in their performance area. I began to mix with the wide range of people that attend Rooted. I had some purpose. My confidence began to grow. I started to feel better about myself. I began to see that I no longer have to be defined by my past. I had hope. For many years I had a passing interest in nature and wildlife and when I learned we were to get some bees on site, I was excited for the first time in a very long time and put myself forward to be a part of it.

It’s been a blessing with many challenges from the beginning. We’ve built the apiary and assembled the hives with help from other organisations in Hull. I’ve passed several beekeeping courses. It has ignited a passion within me for helping our world. This passion has fuelled my beekeeping journey and I now have my own apiary.