Shane’s story

Beacon Leeds: The starting point for a new life

SHANE had hit rock bottom. A combination of childhood trauma and a manipulative, controlling relationship had led him down a path of alcohol dependency and addiction to cocaine and amphetamines.

Initially he was able to hold down a full-time job until suddenly he couldn’t. He lost his job, his home and his four children. He ended up living in his car and, by his own admission, killing himself.

He was then referred to Beacon Leeds, the service for multiply disadvantaged homeless adults and families which Turning Lives Around delivers in partnership with fellow local charities Touchstone and Inspire North (formerly Foundation).

“It was the middle of winter and if I’d stayed living in my car, I would still be addicted,” said Shane.

Allocated a one-bedroom flat, Shane was introduced to his Housing Support Worker Immy and that was the starting point, the chance Shane needed to begin again.

“Beacon gave me shelter; they housed me. That took me away from my old circle and the chance to beat addiction,” said Shane. “I took that chance and I’m not going back on it.”

Recognising that Shane’s opportunity to restart family life with his children was limited by his housing, Beacon rehoused him in one of their family properties. This meant his children could now stay overnight and through support provided by Beacon’s Family Focused Worker Sarah, his eldest daughter is now living with Shane full-time while the other three children visit every weekend.

“At my worst I was a massive alcoholic, drinking more than a litre of vodka a day as well as taking drugs,” said Shane.

With Beacon providing housing support and Immy on his side, Shane engaged with Forward Leeds and 5 Ways, getting help with managing his addictions. He has now been clean of both drugs and alcohol for three years, is volunteering for Forward Leeds and running an arts group for 5 Ways. He’s also a trustee for an NHS drugs and alcohol service, bringing his lived experience to bear on improving the service for users.

“I’ve only been able to do all this because Beacon gave me the space I needed to get my head together and beat addiction,” said Shane.

“When I was homeless and everyone had given up on me, Immy made me feel like a human being, checking in with me weekly, finding something to praise and encouraging me every step of the way. I keep my home immaculate and with structure in my life, have everything going for me now and my kids are thoroughly enjoying their new dad.”

He added: “Before I had nothing – no job, no income, no home and no hope. Beacon helped and I cannot thank them enough.”