Stanley* has been accessing Barnabus’ services at our Beacon support centre since September 2024. Prior to this, he had experienced six years of rough sleeping in Manchester, with only intermittent periods of sofa surfing between friends and family. His homelessness began following a relationship breakdown and over time he developed a significant dependency on alcohol, which further impacted his physical health and stability.

Early engagement notes made by our Beacon staff members, show that Stanley was not immediately ready to take on structured casework support. Instead, he began regularly attending morning services and group sessions at the Beacon. This period was important in building trust and routine, allowing him to engage at his own pace, while maintaining contact with support services.

In February, Stanley transitioned into the casework service for more intensive, longer-term support. Two of our case work team members began working closely with him to complete a homelessness application for Manchester City Council’s Housing Solutions team. This was a detailed and often emotional process, requiring Stanley to reflect on years of instability, loss and survival. Over three sessions, they explored his housing history, health, substance use and support needs, building a full picture of his situation and the barriers he was facing. Throughout this he continued to visit the Beacon for his immediate needs.

During this time, the casework team also worked alongside the Council’s rough sleeper outreach team, ensuring Stanley was supported through each stage of the housing process. This coordinated approach between statutory and voluntary services helped him feel more informed and supported during what had previously been a confusing and overwhelming system. By the end of February, Stanley was offered temporary accommodation, providing his first experience of stable housing in six years.

In March, our case workers visited Stanley in his new accommodation to support him as he adjusted to living there. During these visits, they spent time reflecting with him on the progress he had already made and what he wanted his future to look like. Together, they agreed a support plan focused on three key areas: building his budgeting skills to help him sustain his tenancy, re-engaging with physical healthcare after years without access and beginning to address his alcohol use alongside his mental health.

For Stanley, this period was not just about practical steps, but about rebuilding a sense of control and possibility in his life. He began to register with a GP and dentist, started to consider the impact of his addiction on his relationships and expressed a desire to reconnect more meaningfully with his family.

From March through to May, Stanley’s attendance at our regular support sessions continued, with gradual but meaningful progress. Stanley worked on managing his service charges, establishing a routine and taking small but important steps towards stability.

As of June, Stanley remains in temporary accommodation and is maintaining his tenancy responsibilities. He has reconnected with family in Manchester and has begun engaging with alcohol support services. While challenges remain, he continues to work closely with Barnabus, taking steady steps towards recovery, stability and a more secure future.

His journey started in the Beacon, here he learnt to trust Barnabus through consistent care from our engagement team. This trust was vital to his journey, it meant that he believed our support workers when they encouraged him to open up and speak about his addiction and to take action to tackle it. You can help other people start their journey off the streets by donating to our Big Give match funded campaign.

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*Name changed to protect our friends identity