It only takes one change in circumstances for homelessness to happen. For Jake*, it started with a rotator cuff injury at work. He lost his job, then his home, and found himself sleeping on a park bench in the freezing cold on his first night without one.

After two months of rough sleeping and engagement with services, Jake was referred to Cambridge Cyrenians and moved into one of our supported "working houses" four and a half years ago. His mental health really struggled in the first year, but we were there to help him in this new stage of his life.

Life started to settle, until a second accident left him with a permanent metal plate in his leg and ten months on crutches. Work became difficult, and he faced challenges with his mental health and alcohol dependency. We moved him into another one of our houses and increased his support around him, something Jake describes as his "saving grace."

Last Christmas brought a further setback: a difficult few months that ended in police involvement and a court-ordered period of alcohol monitoring and mandatory rehab support sessions. From the day the monitor was fitted, and he started attending his sessions, Jake stopped drinking entirely.

"They've been brilliant", he says of his housemates during this time. "No pressure, lots of support and encouragement, no judgement."

Now, things are looking up. He's now approaching four months sober, his project worker helped him to build a CV, and he's about to start a forklift course. Jake is then looking at following this up with a waste management course after that, both opening new routes into work.  

Staying active has helped, too. He credits his summer of sports activities – from watching the World Cup and rugby to getting involved in regular bike rides, runs and fishing, and tagging along on Cambridge Cyrenians resident trips to helping him cope through his sobriety. He now regularly volunteers at his local parkrun and is looking into a Men's Shed group and a cycling club. The winter months are particularly a challenge for Jake, so we will continue to be there; supporting him on his way to a brighter future.

Jake credits Cambridge Cyrenians for helping him stay on this positive journey:

"No matter how stupid I thought my ask was, someone at Cambridge Cyrenians is always helping. Nobody is judged, and they offer a complete outlet from it all. They're always letting me know when things are going on that I'll be interested in and supporting me."

*Name changed to protect privacy

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