'Unique and impressive' Jersey charity should be celebrated

Chances are you wouldn't have heard about Jersey's Drunk and Incapable Unit before reading about it online today. That's because the Shelter Trust prides itself on keeping the identities of those who use private.

But whilst it is right to be confidential, Shelter should shout about the work that it does, because having something like this in Jersey is unique, and impressive.

During research for my report I've found that various other places in Britain have tried to do something similar to Shelter. In Yorkshire, police were considering 'drunk tanks' which would charge those who end up there £400 a time and in Bristol they've had big 'Alcohol Recovery Unit' vans out at various weekends near Christmas. But I've found nowhere like Jersey that has a permanent place where people can be taken when they are drunk to avoid a stay in a police cell.

The reason for that is the service Shelter provides is costly. They are able to do it as they run it alongside their other work. When someone comes in, one of the workers on duty diverts their attention to help care for them. Providing this 24 hour service as a standalone project would cost thousands, and you would never know when, or if, it was going to be used.

So drunk and incapable people elsewhere in Britain find themselves taking up police time, spending time in a cell and facing a possible criminal conviction. All scenarios that those in Jersey are spared. They get to stay in the safety of the Drunk and Incapable Unit, where they're looked after with care, and where they can leave the next day without any ramifications.

The Shelter Trust tell me some of those who use the unit come back with gifts to say thank you. I think this small gesture highlights just how much this service means to those who use it.