The Lighthouse Charity is honoured to help so many people in the construction industry. If you read through the journeys shared by just some of the people we’ve helped, it’s hard not to be moved by the struggles ordinary people face every day. We’re sharing the story of ‘Jakub’, whose remarkable journey stands out as a tale of perseverance in the face of extraordinary hardship. 

Jakub is a 35 year-old forklift driver from the Czech Republic with an extraordinary work ethic and a kind soul. When he came to us at Lighthouse, he told us about the struggles he was facing in getting to his new job. His car had broken down and he didn’t have the means to fix it, and he was fast running out of money for food. His caseworker set about helping with his immediate issues, but it wasn’t long before he trusted her enough to share the story of his life. 

Childhood was a turbulent time for Jakub, whose upbringing involved domestic violence, divorce and homelessness. With £300 in his pocket, Jakub took a 12-hour bus to England, seeking better opportunities for himself. 

He sought work straight away and found a job poster on the noticeboard at his £8-a-night hostel. Jakub is a talented man, sharp as a tack and with incredible initiative, but knocking on doors selling paintings was thankless work, and he was growing desperate. When he was approached by a van offering him to ‘make some money’ followed by a blunt ‘get in’, his trusting nature had him doing as they asked. 

Jakub had been picked up by the travelling community, and they held him at their camp working him like a dog for weeks. He lived amongst rubbish, without running water, and the £20 he earned a day fuelled his generator, otherwise he was left without power. After a few weeks, he was sold as a slave to another camp. 

It was here that Jakub met Benny, a docile man who would become his roommate, ally, and best friend. Benny had been kept as a worker for 18 years and was dangerously addicted to alcohol. The Travellers used this to their advantage, fuelling the addiction and keeping him trapped. Despite significant hardship and abuse, Benny breezed through life with an admirable ability to find joy in the present, watching the birds and taking in his surroundings with blissful ignorance. He had an incredible capacity for forgiveness, generosity and happiness. 

Life went on, and Jakub slept on the floor of their small caravan as he worked under the watchful eye of his captors. Violence was not uncommon, but the most notable time was when a stranger burst into his caravan and beat him with a shovel. Bruised and bloodied, Jakub couldn’t work, wasn’t paid and didn’t eat for four days. 

His luck changed when he was put to work next door to a job centre. He learned that with a National Insurance number, he would be able to get a job. It was his ticket to freedom. With some careful planning and a little persuasion, he managed to convince Benny to escape with him just a week later. 

The pair left penniless and on foot, carrying with them a few tins of food, their paperwork and ‘Benny’s booze’ – to prevent potentially fatal withdrawals. For weeks they were homeless, living in the woods under a makeshift shelter. With unending perseverance and admirable grit, the pair managed to find work with a local farmer, and Jakub quickly proved himself to be an excellent worker. 

The years spent enjoying their freedom, earning a fair wage and working for a kind boss were some of the best of their lives. Sadly, Benny’s health started to decline, and he battled with cancer for many months. Jakub went with him for every round of radiotherapy, loyally supporting his best friend to the end. Benny died in 2019, and Jakub honoured him with a cross that overlooked the rolling hills of their recent home. 

Jakub eventually moved away and found on-site accommodation in exchange for security. It was facing financial issues here that led Jakub to reach out to Lighthouse, and for his story to come to light.

Our caseworker said, “It has been an honour to help Jakub get back on his feet. He is a remarkable man who has seen more hardship than many of us can imagine, yet his work ethic, integrity and kindness remain unshaken”. 

If you feel moved by Jakub’s tale, please consider supporting the charity. Working tirelessly, a case at a time, we’re committed to helping individuals and their families overcome real-world struggles in the construction industry.