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From Instability to Impact
A journey of transformation through 11 years of housing uncertainty to becoming a voice for change and empowerment in our communities.
My story with
Changing Futures & LERO Voices
Eleven Years of Uncertainty
11 Years of Uncertainty: A constant state of not knowing where to live.
Sofa Surfing: Moving frequently between temporary accommodations and supported living arrangements.
Fleeting Stability: Any sense of a stable home was always short-lived.
Overwhelming Anxiety: Constant worry about future displacement and lack of a true home.
Emotional & Mental Toll: The instability led to significant emotional, mental, and physical wear-down.
Feeling Stuck: Battling unseen struggles while the world seemed to progress.
When Life Changed Everything
Serious Car Accident
Involved in a serious car accident, leading to long-term health issues and physical limitations.
02
Work & Mobility Challenges
World became smaller; struggle to find suitable work became nearly impossible due to new physical limitations.
Compounding Instability
Ongoing battle with personal health and lack of stable housing, amplifying the challenges of homelessness.
The Turning Point
Reaching the lowest point, realising it was precisely when transformation becomes possible, and something was about to shift.
Discovering Changing Futures
Recognition
For the first time in years, I felt like I mattered. Changing Futures didn't see me as a statistic or a problem that needed fixing.
Click for Official Launch on 25th September
Potential
They saw me as a person with potential, someone whose experiences could drive meaningful change.
Empowerment
I was encouraged to take action, to use my experiences as a foundation for advocacy and transformation.
Finding My Voice Through Research
One of the first meaningful projects I became involved in was the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). This wasn't just paperwork—it was real research into the systems and policies around mental health, housing, homelessness, and addiction.
Systems Analysis
I helped examine how mental health services, housing policies, and addiction support actually worked—or didn't work—for people like me.
Speaking Up
I began sharing my voice, standing not just for myself but for others navigating the same struggles and systemic barriers.
Collaborative Impact
I discovered we had the tools, training, and collaboration necessary to make systems work better for everyone.
We Are Not Our Struggles
As I worked on these projects, I began to realise something powerful at Changing Futures. It wasn't merely about identifying problems—it was about recognising strengths in people and building upon those strengths.
Define by Strength
We are not our struggles; instead, we learn to identify and build upon our inherent strengths.
Power of Community
Change doesn't happen in isolation. It thrives through partnerships with organisations like Revolving Doors and NECG, and support from individuals who've walked similar paths.
Hope is a Skill
Hope is a learnable skill, built together through connection, support, and believing in the possibility of change, even when life knocks you down.
Becoming a Homelessness Coach
A New Chapter
New Role: Homelessness Coach
After eleven years of housing insecurity, I am now privileged to help others navigate similar challenges.
Blended Expertise
My role combines lived experience with developed skills like research, advocacy, trauma-informed care, and collaborative working.
Empowering Others
This opportunity allows me to make a direct impact, guiding people to better outcomes with the empowering message: "I've been there, and I believe in you."
Change Is Possible
Resilience
We are defined by our ability to adapt and overcome, not by our circumstances or struggles.
Connection
When we come together, share our stories, and support each other, we create powerful change.
Progress
Every step forward counts. Change might not happen overnight, but it is absolutely possible.
No matter how impossible things might feel, transformation is within reach. Together, we can change the systems that need changing—and in doing so, we can change lives.
Hope Beyond Addiction: A Journey Through Music and Faith
In the journey of recovery, finding new sources of meaning and connection is paramount. For me, that profound transformation began with two powerful forces: music and a return to faith.
The Healing Power of Music
Composing became a deeply personal outlet to channel emotions, articulate thoughts, and find beauty in the process of rebuilding. Each melody was a creative act bringing solace and purpose.
Reconnecting with Faith
Returning to Church opened a new dimension of spiritual connection, providing an essential anchor for my recovery journey.
Community Through Sacred Music
Joining the Church band fostered a sense of belonging and contribution. Shared hymns and communal worship transformed music into a spiritual practice and communal embrace.
A Bridge to Lasting Hope
This spiritual and musical journey became inextricably linked with personal transformation, providing discipline, joy, and a vibrant community that illuminates the path to lasting hope.