JP, a 36 year old builder from Yorkshire, had had a very difficult life. In his own words, growing up had been ‘chaos, anarchy, prison and institutions,’ and he simply didn’t have the tools to better his position. After a period of homelessness and another failed attempt to rebuild himself, JP was exhausted, and made a serious attempt to end his life.
He had hit rock bottom, and he knew that life needed to change. He was admitted to a psychiatric ward where he developed confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness, completing important inner work that gave him a feeling of hope. However, his release from the ward had him living in a dangerous area in Rotherham, and he found himself surrounded by reminders of his old way of life.
Desperate for change and having been helped by the Lighthouse Charity once before, JP decided to seek our help once again. Nervous and unsure to start with, he soon felt at ease as he spoke to our team. He told us he needed to find somewhere peaceful to live, surrounded by nature, where he could focus on wellness and positive change.
He was assigned a dedicated caseworker who was able to assess JP’s situation and get to work. First, we organised food shops, prioritising good, solid meals. Within a fortnight, JP had found a property in a small community with beautiful surroundings, and we had been able to offer the rent deposit and the first month’s rent.
JP didn’t give up, and his life has completely turned around. With the benefit of strong foundations and a place to call his own, he told us he is enjoying better relationships with his son Forest, his partner and his family, and he has a sense of stability and peace.
He shared, “The support has helped me through the most difficult time in my life. I have had many struggles over the years, but I’ve never been as scared of anything as committing myself to self-improvement. Lighthouse has helped to make the first steps easier than I thought it was going to be. It has taken a massive weight off my shoulders.”
We are very pleased to report that within a month of living in his new home, JP has secured a new labouring position and is thriving in the work. With a renewed sense of purpose, JP plans to give back to his community, volunteer locally and eventually write a book about his experiences – with a percentage of the profits donated to Lighthouse. He told us, “To keep what you’ve got you have to give it away. I will continue to pass on the message and encourage anyone in the same situation to pick up the phone and dial your number. You are a gift to anyone who has the opportunity to be helped by you. Thank you for everything.”
If you can relate to JP’s struggles and you’re finding life tough, help is here – call our free 24/7 helpline 0345 605 1956 (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI) or web chat live with one of our advisors at www.lighthousecharity.org
