One man’s journey to overcome 20 years of homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence and poor mental health.

John (not his real name) is a highly intelligent 53-year-old and has faced multiple challenges, including substance and alcohol dependence and mental and physical health issues. He has been an entrenched rough sleeper for 20 years and has lived a transient lifestyle, traveling across the UK and sleeping wherever he could.
He was aware his situation needed to change but previous attempts had failed because his support was patchy and uncoordinated. He was reluctant to engage with local services following years of feeling ignored, unheard and forgotten.
John was referred to the Bond Board by the Manchester Changing Futures team. Changing Futures is a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government initiative set up the help people with multiple disadvantages. We run the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Project (RSAP) designed to deliver supported move-on accommodation for the long-term homeless. Prior to joining the RSAP, John had never managed a tenancy, received appropriate benefits or been able to live independently, highlighting the need for intensive, sustained support. His experience makes it difficult for him to build trusting, long-term relationships.
We assessed John’s needs and created an action plan with his goals and wishes at its core. Additionally, we:
– identified services required to help John reach his full potential.
– agreed to coordinate this complex support.
– committed to advocating on his behalf to prevent him from falling through the cracks again.
Once accepted onto RSAP, John was provided with a fully furnished one-bedroom flat. This is a fundamental step for someone like John, who has no resources of his own to begin a tenancy. It gave him security, stability, an address to use and allowed him to focus on rebuilding his life.
Despite the disappointment he’d experienced in the past, John knew he had to build a support network and we began introducing him to local services, including the Drug and Alcohol Team, GP surgery and Mental Health Services.
With all services in place, we implemented a coordinated “working together” approach. Our consistency and transparency helped build trust with John, who began to believe in our commitment to his wellbeing. We successfully helped him claim Universal Credit and PIP and supported his application for social housing despite his lack of a recognised photo ID.
We began to empower John through coaching and mentoring, helping him understand what to expect from each service and how to navigate situations where he felt unheard or judged.
To help him overcome his fears, we attended appointments with him and advocated for him where necessary, ensuring his voice was heard and challenging systemic barriers. But 20 years of mistrust and living on the streets leaves an indelible mark.
Support processes can be slow and this has not been a straightforward journey. As we worked with the various services, John’s mental and physical health declined. He became increasingly agitated and confrontational, partly because the support worker assigned by the Drug and Alcohol service frequently changed. Repeatedly retelling his story caused him distress and the feeling that he was getting nowhere. We intervened, demanding consistent support from service managers to ensure continuity and reduce John’s emotional strain.
However, his declining mental health led to erratic behaviour and there were some unwanted visitors at his property. His ability to manage a tenancy was questioned, which was deeply concerning as we believed there would be extremely serious repercussions if he lost his home. We submitted multiple safeguarding referrals, pushing for assessments under the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act. John’s alcohol use led to these being refused initially but we persisted.
After six months of advocacy, John was assigned a Social Worker and a Dual Diagnosis Worker to assess his needs and explore long-term supported housing options.
Today, John is actively engaged with the Drug and Alcohol Service and is working toward abstinence. He is a caring and thoughtful person and his long-term goal is to become a Support Worker and help others facing similar challenges. He is financially stable, receiving all the benefits he is entitled to, and now manages his own bank account.
John has not taken heroin and crack for nine months, a remarkable achievement given his past history. He has built relationships founded on trust and is no longer immediately suspicious of new people he meets. He sees this as a turning point and proof that he can reach his goals.
John’s case highlights the importance of tailored, trauma-informed support for people facing multiple disadvantages. It demonstrates how consistent advocacy and a person-centred approach can break down systemic barriers and foster long-term change.
John’s journey shows that with the right support, reintegration into society is possible. While challenges remain, we continue to walk alongside him, breaking down barriers and building a future he once thought was out of reach.

  Back to news