Justice and Human Rights United Kingdom Project #41526

Preventing Homelessness for Veterans

by FirstLight Trust

Project Report | Jul 20, 2024
It's complicated.....

By Dorinda Wolfe Murray | CEO

The solution is simple but not easy. Street access to real time face to face support, in a place that supports rather than judges; that provides a shoulder; a helping hand and that understands the needs of each individual. Respect, compassion, integrity and commitment delivered in spades. And in case you are wondering, homelessness can happen to anyone at any time......

Sofa surfing, staying with family, staying with friends, the park bench that suffices in the summer or the car in winter; sleeping in a corner at work; finding ways to have a shower, a bite to eat, trying to hold it together so that you can keep working, can keep on seeing your kids.

Your donations help us prevent homelessness; help us pull lives back together, and help us create communities for those who feel rejected and less than they are.

That was George. A veteran of the army and then the police force. 15 years of serving this country. Struggling with his confidence and self-esteem after facing many traumatic challenges and situations.
With courage George turned to FirstLight Trust and together they focused on his challenges and his goals and interests. Agreed a care pathway. Collaborated with other agencies for wrap around care and improved his mental and physical health.
George is now settled in his own home. Financially secure enabling him to save and enjoy travelling. With the coping mechanisms FirstLight Trust support gave him George can now deal with his anxiety, has improved his confidence and become an active part of his local community. He attends a weekly cycling group and helps organise community litter picks that other veterans take part in and improves the local community.

As you can appreciate from this case, the reasons around potential homelessness are often complex, and whilst it might seem on the surface that George was okay, he absolutely was not.

So once again, a huge thank you for your donations that are making a difference to so many lives.

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