Today is World Homeless Day, an international awareness campaign celebrated on 10 October which aims to raise awareness and call for action towards ending homelessness, while supporting and advocating for those who experience it. One of the aims of World Homeless Day is to beat stigma by making sure people who have lived experiences of homelessness can have their voices heard in the conversation.
We hope Nigel’s Story will inspire you and remind you that meaningful support can and does change lives.Â
Nigel’s Story
Nigel came to Horton Housing after experiencing rough sleeping, living in a tent in Bradford for a number of months with a man who was threatening him. He has experienced a lot of challenges and trauma in his life and grew up in and out of care. He is now living in Horton Housing accommodation and would like to share with you some of his experiences. Â
Is there a part of your journey you feel particularly proud of?
I am proud of coming from a tent to temporary accommodation with you, and now I’m in a lovely flat. I am proud of myself for accepting the help from the HOP team when they came out to me in my tent, which helped me start the process of getting support because I had no idea where to go or what to do at first. It took a lot for me to ask for help as I have always tried to support myself and look after myself. I have only been here for a few weeks, and I am now working with Project Six to better my life.
What helped you get through a difficult time? 
The Homeless Outreach Partnership (HOP) team helped me to get through a really difficult spot. I was so impressed how quickly the process happened for me. In a matter of days, I was placed in a hotel. After being in a tent for months, I was finally somewhere safe with a roof over my head. After that weekend, I was moved to the flat I am in now with the Housing and Community Support (HACS 4 ALL) service in Keighley. It’s beautiful. I have loads of room and I like watching the pigeons out of my window, and knowing staff are always here or a call away if I need them. 
Can you tell us about a moment that made you feel seen, safe, or supported? 
I felt supported, seen, and safe when the HOP team first came and listened to my needs. They found me somewhere to live after I disclosed that the man I was sharing a tent with was threatening my life. They supported me to move away from that. I also felt supported, seen, and safe when I was experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts, and I called Grove House office for support. The security guard working at Grove House that evening spoke with me for a while and gave me the number for Samaritans who I called. I went and sat with him for an hour, and we had a good chat. He came and checked on me later which I really appreciated. He really made that night a bit easier for me. 
What does ‘home’ mean to you today? 
Home means feeling safe and being supported. Being able to get hold of staff whenever I feel like I need someone to talk to. It’s good for my mental health to know staff are there for me. People have called me every day since finding out I was experiencing challenges with my mental health, and it makes me feel like someone really cares for me and I’m not on my own. This is important as I have had many periods in my life where I did feel alone.
Can you describe a space or moment where you felt most at peace?
A space where I feel most at peace is my flat. I feel really safe compared to when I was living in a tent and getting rained on all the time, feeling cold all the time, and being surrounded by other people. It’s nice to know that only the people who live here and staff have access to the building, and that there is CCTV so if anything was to happen staff can see that and take action. Having the furniture in the flat when I moved in was great too, as I would not have had anything to bring from my tent. It’s nice that my girlfriend can come and see me here too. 
What do you wish people understood better about homelessness? 
Something I wish people understood better about homelessness is that there are all different walks of life who experience homelessness. Not everyone who experiences homelessness has an addiction, but they all need to be supported no matter what they’ve done or where they’ve come from, and people shouldn’t be judged for their addictions. There are people out there on the streets who served in the army, and I think it’s so wrong that they served for our country and they don’t have a roof over their head now after all they have done. 
What support or change would make the biggest difference for you or others in similar situations? 
I feel the support or change that would make the biggest difference for others in similar situations would be if they knew that there is support out there. The experience I have had with Horton so far has been diamond. I think people just need to know someone cares, and that they’re being listened to and not being judged. That is a big thing. I’ve worked with professionals in the past who I felt were just there because they had to listen, whereas I feel like Horton staff are here because they really care and want to help us.
 
If you could share one important message with others about your experience, what would it be?
If I could share one message with others about my experience, it would be to go to Horton Housing if you get the chance, and get the help and take any support needed, because it is much more challenging to do it on your own. Especially when it comes to mental health support or addiction support. I didn’t know there were so many services out there that provide support. I like that at Project Six they have staff with lived experience, as it’s very admirable to see what they have done with their lives and what I could do when I’m feeling better. 
I would like to add that I’m extremely grateful to Horton Housing and all the staff that have supported me so far. I feel seen and cared for.