By providing reliable and dependable support at a pace that he is comfortable with, his trust in services at The Passage has grown and we are on track to supporting him off the street and into support for his substance misuse and mental health.” – Connal, Complex Needs Support Worker
Kallum* has been engaging with The Passage since September 2023, accessing support to overcome challenges around mental health, substance misuse, and behavioural difficulties – barriers that had made it hard for him to move away from the streets into stability.
Following a recent release from prison, Kallum needed help obtaining ID, financial support, and accommodation. He also required sustained assistance to address his substance use, mental health issues, and anger management.
His journey has not been straightforward. There have been significant ups and downs, including periods where his access to our Resource Centre had to be temporarily withdrawn due to anger management issues. But with patience, consistency, and care, we’ve supported Kallum into a more stable place – both mentally and physically.
Although Kallum would often show motivation, he found it difficult to commit to structured appointments, frequently declining or not attending. However, by building a relationship of trust and repeatedly offering him opportunities without judgment, we’ve seen steady progress.
“As a Complex Needs Case Worker, my role allows me the flexibility to jump at the opportunity when Kallum wants to sort something out, and although there have been periods where Kallum’s substance misuse or levels of anger have stopped him wanting to engage, he is starting to understand that I will not give up on him and that when he is ready, I will be there to help.
Progress may appear slow from the outside, but for Kallum, each small step is a milestone on a long road to recovery and resolving his homelessness.”
Today, Kallum is living in a short-term accommodation project and has begun adjusting to life off the streets. He takes pride in keeping his room clean and has started engaging with local drug and alcohol services.
We will continue to work closely with the accommodation provider, substance misuse service, mental health teams, and the borough council to identify the most suitable long-term housing solution for Kallum.
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*Name changed to protect identity