Making connections to build a better future
Steve reached out to our services for support following a period of several years with no stable place to call home. After serving in the military for several years, Steve was caring for his mother and looking after his young family with his partner. Sadly, his mother passed away at the same time as his relationship broke down, and he was left with no place to stay. This period was incredibly stressful and painful for him and caused him to isolate himself, and he experienced street homelessness before finally reaching out for support.
Once Steve sought out support from Action Homeless, he was provided with safe and stable accommodation and assigned a key worker who provided dedicated and personalised support. Through the support provided, Steve made steps in learning to trust people again. He was determined to connect with other people, instead of being on his own. With an interest in gardening, Steve got involved in taking care of the garden in the property he was living in. He also made the most of the events and activities that Action Homeless provide for our clients across our services.
Steve attended our annual Client Conference not long after arriving in our services and got to know more about the work that we do; he appreciated the chance to give some input on his lived experience of homelessness. He has also been involved in our Action Homeless football team for clients, attending regular practices and taking part in a season of games in aid of other local support organisations.
While living with Action Homeless, Steve received a Personalised Budget. This was part of a project that Action Homeless is working on in collaboration with the Centre for Homelessness Impact, Greater Change, and King’s College London. It is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of personalised budgets to reduce the length of people’s experiences of homelessness; reduce the likelihood that homelessness recurs; increase wellbeing and life satisfaction; improve financial security; and allow people to secure or maintain employment.
When it came to spending his Personalised Budget, Steve’s focus was to prepare himself to move into more permanent accommodation and have everything needed to have his children to stay. Steve purchased furniture for his new home, such as essential items for a kitchen, bedroom and living room, and a sofa bed for his children. He also purchased a bike so that he could get around more easily, and a gym membership to keep him active.
Having access to a Personalised Budget made a huge difference to Steve, as he didn’t have to worry about where he would get the funds to furnish a home when he moves into more permanent accommodation. Having a bike means he can get around a lot quicker, and this is important for some volunteering work he has started, which all going well will turn into paid employment after a trial period.
Steve has been living with Action Homeless for just over a year. During this time the combination of dedicated support from his key worker at Action Homeless and the provision of a Personalised Budget has had a positive impact on his plans for the future. He is currently looking forward to moving into more permanent accommodation and spending more time with his children.