Next Stage Housing Helps to Create…

A New Start!

We first met Robert when he was referred to us by his social prescriber who had called in at our drop in in Ashton under Lyne in January 2023.

Robert was sofa surfing at the time, having become homeless as he didn’t want to remain in a hostel and was judged as having made himself intentionally homeless. We tried over the following months to find a place for him without success but thought that he was still staying with a friend so had a roof over his head.

This, as we later realised, was not the case. He was at times sleeping rough in the local area.

In November 2024 Robert got back in touch to say that he was in hospital and had nowhere to go when he was discharged. We got in touch with the hospital as patients should not be discharged to the street. They were desperate for his bed, and in the end, he was told that they were getting a taxi for him which would take him to the local authority who would help him.

When he arrived at the housing options desk, he was told that they had no knowledge of what the hospital said and that they couldn’t help him. Robert returned to sleeping rough.

However, we contacted a neighbouring local authority where he had lived in the past and they eventually accepted his connection to the area and put him up in temporary accommodation which gave him breathing space.

At this point, Cath remembered a contact with a local housing association who dealt with over 55s accommodation. Cath contacted her and, although she was no longer in this department, she put Cath in touch with someone who could help.

An application was made and Robert was given an interview and offered a place.

He moved in just before Christmas and is now busy making a home after many years of homelessness. We have been able to get him help with furnishings through Acts 435 for which he is very grateful.

We wish him a happy and settled future.