Jade spent eight years rough sleeping on the streets of London, after fleeing an abusive relationship.
During her time on the streets, our Outreach Team knew of Jade and would regularly check up on her, offering our support, and inviting her into our Resource Centre. However, her past trauma had taken a significant toll on her mental health, making it difficult for her to accept the support she truly needed.
“It really challenged me. I had to be on alert all the time, in case someone came to attack me. It affected my sleep, my mood, it made me paranoid, I was just so unsafe” – Jade, Passage Client.
As a woman experiencing homelessness, Jade was particularly vulnerable. She tells us how she was constantly fearful of her safety and unfortunately endured significant abuse while rough sleeping – both from passersby and people she knew.
Already deeply affected by her domestic relationship, the period Jade spent on the streets further perpetuated her mental health challenges.
However, despite the barriers she faced, four years after our Outreach Team first met Jade, she was ready to accept our help.
Our Outreach Team welcomed Jade into our Resource Centre, where she began accessing our immediate welfare facilities. Our teams dedicated time to understanding her personal needs, ensuring they could offer the most effective support; tailored to her situation.
“There have been good days and bad days. But, now I have a place I call home, and I’m starting to look forward to the future.”
To further support Jade on her journey to stability, she was offered a place at our Montfort House residence. Here, she has found a safe and stable place to call home, complete with the wrap-around support needed to help rebuild her life.
Jade shares that her journey away from homelessness hasn’t been without its challenges. Working through trauma has its ups and downs, and at times, moving forward can feel daunting.
Despite these hurdles, Jade’s resilience continues to inspire us all as she continues to strive towards a better future for herself. Thank you Jade, for sharing your story and demonstrating how, with the right support, recovery is always possible.
Our Outreach Team work to ensure that those facing multiple disadvantages in the experience of homelessness receive the tailored support they deserve.
I would like to help someone who is experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
*Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) Aid Estimation for the year ending March 2020