Michael’s story

What moving on can look like

Finding somewhere to live is an important part of moving on from a period of crisis. What comes next can involve many different parts of everyday life.

For Michael, his time in supported accommodation at Alongside has included working towards somewhere suitable to live, receiving support during difficult periods and getting involved in things that interest him.

Michael helped renovate the garden at his accommodation, tidying the space, spray-painting plant pots bright yellow and planting fruit and flowers. Later, he sent staff a selfie showing the strawberries growing in the garden.

Michael also has a keen interest in history and visited Radstock Museum with a member of staff. He became involved in other areas of the service too, including representing people using Alongside’s services on an interview panel for a regional manager role. He helped interview candidates and contributed his perspective to the recruitment process.

Having opportunities to pursue interests, make choices and get involved can be an important part of everyday life while receiving practical support. Research exploring people’s lives after homelessness has highlighted the importance of participation and opportunities to use existing skills and knowledge, as well as access to housing and support. It also challenges the idea that people should be seen primarily as recipients of services rather than people with their own interests, abilities and perspectives to offer.

Getting support through a difficult period

Around a month after arriving, things became more difficult for Michael. He relapsed into drug taking, returning to his old haunts, and spent his Universal Credit payment for the month over the course of a single weekend.

He didn’t want to go on like that. So, Michael approached his probation officer and asked to remain with our service and continue receiving support. During this time, he was struggling with his self-worth and worried that he had let people down.

Staff worked with Michael on ways to understand and manage his cravings. He also met regularly with his drugs worker at one of our partner organisations, Turning Point.

Out of money, Michael also needed some immediate practical help. Staff arranged weekly food bank referrals and provided some additional fresh food while he waited for his next Universal Credit payment.

Michael also sought further support, and staff worked with his GP, who referred him for specialist counselling for people experiencing problems with substance use. Michael found the counselling particularly interesting.

“It’s mad how your brain works!” he said.

Michael continued working with the different people supporting him and put a lot of effort into finding more stability in different areas of his life, including managing his money more consistently.

Finding somewhere suitable to live

As Michael’s time with the service came towards an end, attention naturally turned to where he would live next.

Finding somewhere suitable meant looking at both the accommodation itself and where it was located. Michael didn’t want to return to his old stomping ground, which would have brought him back together with people and circumstance that would undermine his recovery.

Alongside worked with the local council to explain Michael's circumstances and why finding accommodation elsewhere would be important. Although there was no formal exclusion zone preventing him from returning to the area, the council agreed to consider housing options elsewhere.

Preparing for a place of his own

Michael is now due to move into a privately rented property in a new area. Preparing for the move has included some practical support, with Alongside providing an air fryer for Michael to take with him to the property.

Moving into his new home will bring another set of everyday things to work out, including settling into a different area, managing his home and establishing the routines that work for him.

Michael has consistently spoken positively about the people he met during his time with Alongside, describing the team as

“a really big bunch of good eggs.”

Michael’s experiences show some of the different things that moving on can involve.

Somewhere suitable to live, relationships, interests, choices and opportunities to take part in things that matter to someone can all form part of everyday life. Support can remain part of that too, responding to what someone needs at different times.

Michael is now staying in temporary accommodation while final repairs are completed on his new property. Settling into his new home, and the routines and decisions that come with it, will be the next part of that process.