Ben's Story
Ben’s journey shows how tailored support can help overcome challenges like homelessness, mental health struggles, and family breakdowns. With patience and care, Ben rebuilt his confidence, gained independence, and began preparing for a brighter future
Mental Health Challenges, relationship breakdowns and facing homelessness
Ben was referred to us after becoming homeless and struggling with mental health challenges and the breakdown of family relationships. When Ben first arrived, he rarely left the house due to anxiety, lack of knowledge about the city, and fear of public transport. He often stayed in his room for days, avoided self-care tasks, and struggled to keep his living space clean. Ben was also vulnerable to exploitation; for instance, he once allowed strangers into his home, unaware of the potential risks.
A slow start, to slowly gaining independence
Initially, Ben found it hard to trust staff and relied heavily on his mother for support. He faced difficulties managing his ADHD and was unaware of how substance use was affecting him. With our support, Ben began building his independence. We worked collaboratively with him to identify solutions, such as creating reminders for appointments and addressing the root causes of his anxiety about leaving the house. We also partnered with Aspire to support Ben in developing skills for education, employment, and training (EET).
Growing Confidence
Over time, Ben’s confidence grew. He started attending appointments independently, taking better care of himself, and maintaining a clean living space. He now regularly engages in EET activities, has applied for jobs, and is preparing for independent living. Ben’s resilience and belief in himself have significantly improved, and he frequently expresses gratitude for the support he has received. As he says,
