John’s story
“I’d always worked, so I didn’t know what benefits might be available to me. I couldn’t get help from the council as I wasn’t considered a priority, so I ended up sofa surfing and sleeping rough for several weeks.”
John had been living with his partner for 20 years when she sadly passed away. Overnight John lost both his soulmate and his home as the house had been left to her family.
John moved into a rented room in a shared house but, having been a Refuse Collector for 16 years, he was then made redundant at Christmas time. With no job, he could no longer afford the rent and soon became homeless.
“I’d always worked, so I didn’t know what benefits might be available to me. I couldn’t get help from the council as I wasn’t considered a priority, so I ended up sofa surfing and sleeping rough for several weeks”.
John contacted Citizen’s Advice who put him in touch with local charity, Rentstart.
“I went to Rentstart’s offices. They were really helpful and even bought me food, as I hadn’t eaten for a while.”
Walton Charity was able to find a room for John in one of our social housing properties managed by Rentstart. Within just a few days, John had been rehomed into his new accommodation.
“Finally, I had a secure place to live while I looked for work to help me become independent again.”