Warren was at Passage House – our rapid response assessment centre for people sleeping rough in the Westminster area – for six months before he was successfully relocated to Yorkshire, where he has since been reunited with members of his family.
Warren’s experience of long-term homelessness
“I’d been rough sleeping on and off for 20-odd years. As a labourer, I worked all over, and I liked to have a good time. One day, I packed in all my addictions. I’d spent all my money and most of my savings. I just went, “That’s it. I’m done.” After that, I started slowing down and I’ve been clean for years now.
I used to live under a bush in St. James’ Park. I just kept myself to myself. I’ve always been streetwise. I know wrong ‘uns from rights, you know? I still used to go and get a shower every day and do my laundry in Pimlico, look after myself, brush my teeth. I never begged. I never stole. I used to stretch my money.
But for years, I thought I wasn’t loved. I thought nobody gave a damn about me, so everything fell through. And eventually I thought, I need some help here.
That’s how I ended up at Passage House. I spent about six months there, they gave me my own room, and worked on my case with me.”
A life after long-term homelessness
“Today I’m back in West Yorkshire, God’s own county. If it wasn’t for Sean and the staff at Passage House I wouldn’t be here today, where the air is cleaner. This is where I want to be buried.
Sean was so important for me. He got me on Facebook and got in touch with my oldest niece Kylie, and her husband Paul. We all started crying our eyes out when we met up. After 20-odd years. Just imagine it. I know I’ve still got a hell of a lot of bonding to do, but I’m on the right track and I’m not going to waste it. I’ve got a second chance.
It’s not been easy. Far from it. Soon after we made contact, I found out I’d lost my mum and dad, and my brother. When Sean came up to do a room check at Passage House, I was in a terrible state. I wasn’t even there for their funerals. That night I went to Westminster Catholic Church, lit three candles and sobbed.
Now I’m back in Yorkshire, where I feel most at home, I’m most looking forward to breathing. Breathing in the fresh air, and building a new future.
A message from Sean, Passage House Project Manager
Passage House is a rapid response assessment centre for people sleeping rough in the Westminster area. It’s very fast-paced; we aim to help people move on within 28 days, though some clients, such as Warren, stay with us longer than that.
We will assess them in the first week to ascertain their local council connection, then get in touch with that council, do checks on their benefits, medical records and housing history, and build a case for them to get the help with the housing that they need.
In the meantime, while they’re with us, we have a kitchen that runs every day, a full-time chef, project workers throughout the evening and daily activities, all of which brings a homely feeling.
When the time comes, we will go with the clients to viewings of possible accommodation, to ensure everything’s clean and working well and suitable for them. And that’s really the special part, seeing them imagining life in a new place.
Going with Warren to Huddersfield was an incredible experience. He is an amazing person to work with. He was the first client I got to work with when starting my role at Passage House, and he made it so easy.
The last time we spoke on the phone he was with his niece, just spending time together. That was a joy to hear.”