Beacon: hope after homelessness
SHAUN grew up in difficult family circumstances. His brothers had been in and out of jail and one tragically took his own life. Despite this, Shaun worked as a chef in Leeds for 18 years but during this time became alcohol dependent.
Starting a new relationship, Shaun moved in with his partner. She had a drug habit and used him to pay for her fixes. Before Shaun knew it, all his money was gone and in July ’23 she kicked him out.
With nowhere to go Shaun was suddenly homeless. He found shelter where he could - the coach station, the bus station, wherever he could find warmth – but it was only ever for a short time before he was moved on.
Realising this was no way to live, Shaun came to a decision – he wanted his old life back. He saw a doctor and went on medication to help him withdraw from alcohol. He secured and moved into shared accommodation but didn’t feel adequately supported and had problems with other tenants, so he asked to be moved.
Shaun was then referred to Beacon Leeds, the service Turning Lives Around runs in conjunction with Touchstone and Foundation for multiply disadvantaged adults who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.
In addition to providing accommodation in Intensive Support Environments which are staffed 24/7, the service offers shared community accommodation and self-contained flats through its Beacon Dispersed team.
At Beacon Shaun met support workers Emma and Aiysha and his life took a turn for the better. In August ‘24 he received the keys to one of Beacon Dispersed’s one-bedroom flats. Here he is independent and feels safe but equally important he still receives ongoing support.
Aiysha checks in with him weekly and is supporting his efforts to manage his alcohol dependency with referrals to specialist agencies like Forward Leeds. Shaun’s goal is to become a chef once more and be reunited with his son. Beacon is helping him achieve that.