POVERTY might be hard to see on the streets in Mole Valley's towns and villages, but Paul Mitchell, who next week celebrates 20 years with Leatherhead-based charity Transform Housing and Support, has seen his fair share of destitution in the district.
When he started his role two decades ago, the charity helped 250 Mole Valley residents find housing every year. Now this number has soared to more than 1,000 people across Surrey.
The 58-year-old said: "Homelessness here isn't usually seen – it's hidden. These people aren't in a cardboard box which we usually think of.
"I think one of the worst incidences was when we took over a project of a boy living in general needs housing for 18 months.
"He was living on a few blankets on the floor in the corner of the flat, surviving on fast food."
Mr Mitchell said the increase in people being helped to find homes was a result of both the charity's progress and increased need.
He continued: "As a result of drugs, alcohol and the pressures of life, not everybody can keep on the straight and narrow nowadays.
"But there are more people to help than we can support. We're full at the moment and we have no spare capacity for people referred to us.
"We need to build more housing, and not just social housing, but the whole network.
"Surrey is interesting. It is an engine of growth but there are significant parts of deprivation.
"We have big rural areas with villages full of Mercedes Benz [cars] but for those who haven't got a stake in that society, it becomes much more difficult."
Celebrating one of Transform's success stories, Mr Mitchell added: "There was one young woman who had a dreadful life. She was badly abused in dreadful ways and came to us high on drugs and alcohol but has turned that all around.
"She has a job in a statutory agency and is doing great."
Transform, which changed its name two years ago from Surrey Community Development Trust, house their clients in accommodation ranging from hostel-style units to self-contained flats.
When Mr Mitchell joined there were about 30 members of staff. They are now joined by 110 people in 12 offices across Surrey.
The trust relies on charitable funding. To donate call 01372 387100 or visit www.transformhousing.org.uk/donate
