In memory of Debs - one of the funny, brave and fabulous women we've been privileged to know

Debs (on the left) outside the New Futures Project with former placement student Nicoleta Lebada.

We are heartbroken to learn that a great friend and former client has passed away after a period of illness.

Debbie Featley and the New Futures Project go back a long way together.

When we met her a few years ago, Debs was inseparable from her partner Emma, whom she would so often tell us was the love of her life.

Emma died in January 2020. You can read her story here in our Names on the Doors series, which commemorates women we have lost over the years.

As an act of remembrance Emma's room will be renamed after Emma and Debs.

Debs embodied everything the New Futures Project stands for and has been a great friend and a staunch supporter of what we do.

We worked with her through some difficult times in her life and were delighted when her health improved and she was able to play a valuable role here as a volunteer.

She loved to spend time in the building, catching up with staff and the women who use our drop-in service.

Also, she was the woman behind our series, Karen's Journal.

Under the pen name she chose for herself, Debs wrote with great strength, honesty and humour about the highs and lows of her life.

Her diary entries moved in an instant from tragedy to great humour, from reflections on her past to her positive hopes for the future.

READ MORE: Karen’s Journal: ‘I can’t believe I’ve been writing this for a year now – it’s the first thing I’ve actually stuck to in ages’

READ MORE: Karen’s Journal: ‘Mama, I’m going to make you proud of me and show everyone that I’m amazing, that I’m a fighter’

Debs put so much effort and emotion into her diary entries.

She wrote movingly about the crippling health problems arising from alcohol and drug use which she faced with such courage and strength in her final years.

She submitted her last piece for us in March this year, writing: "I had so many goals for this year and I have come a long way. I can stand up without crutches and don't lie awake at night crying in constant pain.

"Looking back at how I was in January last year, I never thought it would let up. So, my health is getting better.

"I know I have come such a long way and I am so far into my recovery journey. I have hope and a great network of family and friends around me.

"As long as I'm honest, they will see that. My life is finally beginning. I am excited about this year. It's going to be amazing.

"I want to be able to look in the mirror and love the person looking back at me. So, readers, let's do this."

Debs' health began to dip again a few months ago. We visited her in hospital and allowed ourselves to hope she was on the mend.

However, her health deteriorated further in recent weeks and her family contacted us to tell us she had died.

READ MORE: The Names on the Doors - ‘I felt numb and gutted she never got that fresh start she so deserved’ (Zoe’s story)

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Our director Della Kagure Brown

Our director Della Kagure Brown said: "I  always felt a bond with Debs. We had so much in common and I will always be grateful for all the memories I have of laughing with her and chatting in the drop-in.

"I have been at the project for many years now and one of the hardest things about that is dealing with the loss of so many funny, brave and fabulous women.

"I often used to tell Debs to look after herself because I was running out of doors. She knew what I meant.

"The truth is though I don't need another door for Debs. Her name will go on the same door as her partner, Emma and it will be known as the Emma and Debs Room.

"Rest in peace with Emma and your friend Shervon, Debs."

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Our crisis support manager Avril Lewis.

Avril Lewis, our crisis support manager, added: "I was so shocked to hear this news. Debs had battled with health problems for years, but I never expected this.

"I was so upset when her mum called to tell me.

"Debs has been part of our lives at the project for so long, it is hard to imagine it without her.

"Debs loved nothing more than sitting around with a cup of coffee, having a chat with her friends here.

"She loved to reminisce and always spoke about her mum and dad and her wider family with such love.

"She was always very supportive of the project and would help out in whatever way she could whenever she came in, even doing a bit of cleaning or washing-up.

"She was very much a part of the family here and we will all miss her."

The photograph at the top of this story shows Debs and Nicoleta Lebada, one of our social work placement students who worked closely her.

Debs was so impressed by Nicoleta’s professionalism and compassion, she asked us to write a story about her. You can read that story here

The New Futures Project offers a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.