After struggling with street homelessness for 4 years, Daniel* has begun to get his life back on track with the support of YMCA Norfolk.
Following a very traumatic family upbringing, Daniel was placed in care as a child. Struggling to navigate the emotional aftermath of past trauma while being in the care system, Daniel sought refuge in hostels. Then, at the age of 18, Daniel began rough sleeping in Norwich. Battling mental health challenges, Daniel turned to addictions to cope and sought support from local homelessness charities.
After seeking support for rough sleeping, Daniel was helped by Housing First, a YMCA Norfolk service for those with complex needs. With tailored support, Daniel embarked on a journey towards securing a stable, long-term living situation while laying the groundwork for independent living.
Despite Daniel’s resilience, developed from years of rough sleeping in cold winters and harsh conditions, Daniel was struggling with his mental health. Because of his support needs, Daniel struggled to maintain the right standard of living to cope in a hostel environment.
Housing First uses a harm-reduction approach to provide clients with housing support, but also wrap-around care that addresses their past experiences and supports their future wellbeing. The mission of Housing First is to focus on the individual, giving them the flexibility, intensive support, and time they need to rebuild their life. At YMCA, we believe that everyone has the right to affordable housing, but we also understand that not every accommodation works best for an individual. Housing First works long-term to find the best housing solution for that individual.
With his support worker’s help, Daniel set up a bank account, went to the GP, and began seeking support for his mental health. Our team worked alongside other local organisations, Pathways, NCC, mental health trust, social services to ensure that Daniel remained supported by his local community.
After years of steadfast support from the Housing First team, Daniel has a place in a supported living unit where he can access 24-hour support and continue his steps to a more stable life. He’s looking forward to rebuilding his life and gaining professional support to work through his previous trauma.
*resident’s name has been changed to protect their identity