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When JC first came into contact with The Purfleet Trust, life felt uncertain. Following a relationship breakdown with his family, he had been asked to leave home. As someone with autism, the sudden change and uncertainty of homelessness were particularly difficult to navigate, leaving him feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and emotionally drained.

After being signposted to The Purfleet Trust by his father and the young people’s service MAP, JC moved into one of our Training Houses. While shared accommodation brought its own challenges, he reflects that without it, “I would have been on the streets.”

With very little money and no experience of living independently, the prospect of finding and managing his own home felt daunting. Through regular support from his Independent Living Coach, JC received practical guidance every step of the way. Together they worked through the process of applying for a tenancy, setting up utility bills, arranging council tax support and Local Housing Allowance, and developing the skills needed to manage a home confidently.

For JC, the support went beyond practical help, and for the first time in a long time, JC said “I felt listened to.”

Over time, JC built enough savings to secure the deposit and first month’s rent for a private flat. Today, he is successfully living independently and feels equipped with the knowledge and confidence to manage his own tenancy.

Reflecting on his journey, JC says: “I now know how resilient I can be.”

The experience has also strengthened his relationship with his father, who has gained a much better understanding of JC’s autism throughout the process.

Looking ahead, JC is optimistic about the future. For the first time, he is planning to seek employment while continuing to volunteer in the local community with The Bridge For Heroes.

He also describes feeling “more confident” and says he “feels peaceful and relaxed” in his new home.

JC’s story shows how the right support, delivered with patience, understanding and encouragement, can help someone move from uncertainty to independence, building not just practical skills, but confidence, resilience and hope for the future.

For many years, Andy* experienced rough sleeping. During this time his health deteriorated significantly and he was admitted to hospital, where at one point he was not expected to survive.

Following his treatment and release from hospital, the local council provided him with temporary accommodation in a pod. With regular support, his health gradually improved, although he continues to live with two serious long-term health conditions.

With the right support in place, Andy was eventually offered a permanent flat with Freebridge Community Housing. Starting again was not easy — he moved in with very few belongings — but support helped him access House2Home items and essential white goods, allowing him to furnish his property and begin to make it feel like home.

He was also supported to set up his utilities and manage his bills. Today, he takes pride in ensuring these are paid and managed independently.

Because of his health conditions, maintaining his garden became difficult, so he was supported to access the Garden Assistance Scheme, helping him keep his outdoor space safe and manageable.

A continues to visit the Purfleet Trust Health & Wellbeing Centre regularly for breakfast and lunch. These visits have helped him build a routine and reconnect with others.

Today, after years of rough sleeping and serious illness, Andy has a stable home, a daily routine and a renewed sense of belonging. He says having somewhere safe to live and a community around him has helped him regain a quality of life and feel valued again.

*Name has been changed

Hi Jess, when did you first come to Purfleet?

It was in 2020 when I was street homeless and suffering through addiction. I had an assessment interview here and they helped to prepare me to move into temporary accommodation as I needed somewhere to go.

I was in that temporary accommodation for about 2 years, and then I had to have an emergency transfer to another temporary accommodation. I moved around a lot during that time.

What happened next?

After a few years in temporary accommodation and still suffering addiction, I fell back into homelessness and ended up sleeping in Purfleet’s car park. That was about three years ago, and that’s when I started to work with Purfleet more. I got to know the staff and I was using the facilities at the Centre, like showers, meals and it just felt like somewhere safe.

When you were street homeless, how did you feel?

I felt so low. I had to leave my little boy with his dad. I had nothing and nowhere to go. I’m not blaming that for my addiction, but I didn’t have anything to wake up for.

How are you finding living at a Purfleet Training House?

I’m living with 2 other women in the house and I’ve been there just over a year. It’s been great and I finally feel comfortable and secure. I’ve been working with my Independent Living Coach Jelena and she has been really good.

How has your progress been at the Training House?

Myself and my support worker, Jelena, have put together a plan to help me manage my debts from the past. When I was in addiction, I stopped repaying my debts and bills, but now I have a plan in place and am going to start to pay them back come the end of this month. For the first time, I feel that the support is there all the time to help me stick to a plan and achieve my goals.

You’re now a keen runner! How has your new hobby helped you?

It’s been a massive help. When I started, I just thought it was going to be a one off. My housemate wanted start running around the block, but I really wasn’t sure. I thought people might see me and they might judge me because they know my background.

She said we should sign up to do King’s Lynn Parkrun, and I agreed to give it a go. This was back on 7th January and I’ve been running every week since!

Sometimes it’s just about getting out of the door. That’s often the hardest part, but when I’ve done it, I feel like I’ve achieved something. It doesn’t have to be a great run, but as long as I’ve done it and got off the sofa I’m happy. I now have a saying: “From crack to 10K!”

Have Purfleet supported you with your running? What have they done?

I’ve had staff come to run with me at Parkrun, and we’ve had running groups as well at the Centre. Purfleet have been really supportive.

With your current situation, how do you feel?

I feel much more positive. I’ve got my mum back in my life – she was always there but our relationship is really positive now.

Purfleet have been working with you for a few years. Do you think they have helped you on your journey?

I’m so grateful for Purfleet. If it weren’t for them, I’d probably still be sleeping in the car park. I’ve been in a lot of bad situations in the past couple years, addiction, domestic violence and not having a permanent home. Purfleet have stuck by me all the time. They’ve helped me put a plan in place for the future.

Where do you see yourself in a year’s time?

I’d like my own place and to have more contact with my son. At the moment, it’s mostly over the phone, but I’d like to have a place he can come to and he can call home as well.

When George was first referred to The Purfleet Trust’s Outreach Team, he was sleeping rough outside a shop in King’s Lynn. At first, he wanted nothing to do with support. He refused help and was reluctant to speak, so rather than pushing the conversation, our Outreach team simply bought him a coffee, introduced themselves, explained the support available at Purfleet and left him with a contact card.

Over the following four days, the Outreach team returned to check on George. On the fifth day, George walked through the doors of The Purfleet Trust and asked for help.

Slowly, the team and George started to build a relationship and work alongside each other to address George’s homelessness. A homeless application was made with the Council, and over the following months he was accommodated in emergency and supported accommodation.

Support extended far beyond finding somewhere to sleep. George received help to access drug and alcohol services, attend hospital appointments and mental health assessments, connect with specialist agencies, obtain a mobile phone to stay in contact with services and receive emergency food when needed. The team also made safeguarding referrals, worked closely with healthcare professionals, emergency services and partner organisations.

Reflecting on their relationship, George said to his support worker:

“You’re the only person who has never given up on me. You saved my life.”

George’s circumstances, however, remain incredibly complex and he continues to receive intensive support while staying in supported accommodation. Although his journey is still ongoing, one thing has remained constant: someone has continued to show up, listen and offer support, even during the most difficult moments.

When Donna became homeless, she found herself sofa surfing and relying on others for a place to stay. It was a difficult and uncertain time in her life, which she describes in three words: scared, lonely and depressed.

She first connected to The Purfleet Trust at a point when she needed stability and support. Moving into a Purfleet Trust Training House gave her a roof over her head, but like many people adjusting to shared accommodation, it came with challenges. Living alongside others — particularly those facing their own struggles with addiction — could be difficult, and at times isolating.

Despite this, Donna began to access support and slowly rebuild her life. Donna worked closely with two support workers, Liz and Jelena, who each played an important role in her journey.

“Liz gave me lots of personal and emotional support — she is a great listener. Jelena helped me with forms and debts and kept me on my toes.”

With their support, Donna was able to navigate practical challenges such as managing paperwork and finances, while also receiving the emotional support she needed during a difficult time. Since working with Purfleet Trust, Donna says there have been many positive changes in her life. She now feels more financially stable, and her overall happiness and mood have improved.

“I could not have got through this experience on my own.”

She has since been supported to move into her own flat — something her support workers encouraged her to believe was possible.

Today, Donna is in a much more stable place, with a home of her own and a renewed sense of wellbeing. Her journey shows that even a short period of homelessness can have a deep impact — but with the right support, it is possible to move forward.

“Thank you to The Purfleet Trust — I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

When Julie first came into contact with Purfleet Trust, she was homeless and living with her partner in doorways and tents. They began visiting the Health & Wellbeing Centre, where they could access food and showers. Soon after, Julie was offered a place in a local homelessness shelter, before later moving into a local hostel.

At the time, Julie was struggling with alcohol dependency and the lasting effects of trauma after leaving an abusive relationship. She spent three to four years in and out of homelessness, describing that time as “cold, hopeless and lonely.” Finding somewhere safe to sleep each night was one of the hardest challenges she faced.

A turning point came when Julie moved into one of Purfleet Trust’s Training Houses, where she was supported by her support worker, Jelena. Together they worked on rebuilding Julie’s life. With Jelena’s help, Julie accessed counselling, tackled her debts and began addressing her alcohol dependency. Jelena also supported her with appointments, bills and day-to-day challenges.

“Jelena went above and beyond for me. She helped with everything to rebuild my life.”

Over time, Julie became debt-free, alcohol-free and more confident managing her life independently.

Today, with the support of Purfleet Trust, Julie has moved into her own home and recently welcomed a baby into her life.

“Home means feeling safe and secure in a place that’s permanent, happy and filled with love and family.”

Reflecting on her journey, Julie says the support she received made all the difference.

“Purfleet never gave up on me. Jelena believed in me even when I wanted to give up.”

When Neil first came into contact with Purfleet Trust, it was through his peers who used the service. At the time, he was navigating homelessness and the challenges that come with it.

After losing his father and experiencing a series of difficult events, Neil found himself in a very unstable situation, even living in a shed at one point. He later spent time in a local hostel but was asked to leave following a misunderstanding. Despite this setback, he was given another opportunity and offered a place in a Purfleet Trust Training House.

For Neil, moving into the Training House became a turning point.

“It’s a stepping stone to a normal life – running a house, managing bills, responsibilities.”

With the support available, Neil began to rebuild his life, learning the skills needed to live independently and take on new responsibilities. A key part of this journey was the support he received from his support worker, Jelena.

“She was one of the few people who believed in me and gave me a chance.”

With that belief and guidance, Neil was able to make the most of the opportunity in front of him. Neil describes the changes he has made as some of the most important in his life.

“I did the hard work, but Purfleet gave me the tools and showed me how to run with it.”

After around three years of homelessness, which he describes as leaving him feeling “disgraced” and with “no sense of worth,” Neil began to rebuild his confidence and sense of purpose.

Today, Neil is living in his own home — something he once thought might never happen – an has created a stable home for himself and his family.

“I’m sitting in my kitchen, looking around, and thinking to myself: ‘I’ve done it!'”

His journey shows how, with the right support and a second chance, it is possible to move from homelessness and loss to stability, independence and a place to truly call home.

When Jasmine* first moved into supported accommodation, she was facing some of the most difficult challenges of her life. She had recently left an abusive relationship and was struggling with alcohol addiction. The future felt uncertain, and rebuilding her life seemed overwhelming.

Shortly after arriving, Jasmine discovered she was pregnant. The news brought a mix of emotions — hope, fear and uncertainty. She worried about whether she would be able to keep her baby and provide the stable home every child deserves.

Determined to make a change, Jasmine began engaging with substance misuse services and started her recovery journey. It was not easy. Recovery rarely is. But with the right support around her, Jasmine showed real determination and resilience as she worked to overcome her dependency on alcohol.

Alongside this, Jasmine accessed support for survivors of domestic abuse. Leaving that relationship had taken courage, but the emotional impact remained. With help, she slowly began to rebuild her confidence and rediscover a sense of safety and control over her life.

Throughout her pregnancy, Jasmine worked openly and honestly with social services. She was determined to show that she could create a stable and loving home for her child. Her hard work and commitment paid off — when her baby was born, Jasmine was able to keep her child in her care.

From there, her journey continued to move forward. Jasmine was able to move from supported accommodation into her own home, taking an important step towards independence. She has since built a healthy and supportive relationship with the baby’s father, who is now her partner.

Today, Jasmine’s life looks very different. She is a survivor who has overcome addiction, left abuse behind and built a safe, stable environment for her child.

Her journey shows that with determination, the right support and the opportunity to start again, it is possible to rebuild a life and create a brighter future for the next generation.

*Name has been changed