Background

Before finding Ready 4 Home, Sammy was living in temporary accommodation through a separate Manchester based company, sharing a house with individuals facing severe challenges of their own. These challenges included living with former prisoners, individuals with substance abuse issues and other significant mental health needs. 

Sammy said ‘’I never had a fixed address, sadly there’s no stability in temporary accommodation and the living conditions can be very difficult, especially when you’re already facing everyday challenges yourself’’.

Though grateful for a roof over his head, Sammy lived in constant fear. He frequently found himself in dangerous and distressing situations such as: Fights inside the property, the presence of drugs inside the accommodation and personal belongings being stolen from his bedroom that should be his safe space. The lack of security and peace of mind only deepened his sense of vulnerability.

Facing homelessness

After being granted permission to stay in the UK, Sammy’s support from the Home Office was withdrawn, leaving him without income, housing or a support network to rely on.

‘’I was stressed, isolated and had nowhere to turn,’’ he explains. ‘’I got in touch with Salford City Council and they helped me find a bed for the night and offered support with moving my belongings between properties. Although I had a bed for the night, I wasn’t guaranteed one for the following night and had to keep reapplying daily to get a bed the next evening.’’

The challenges Sammy faced were not only emotional and physical but also practical

• He couldn’t open a bank account
• He couldn’t secure employment
• He often struggled for food

The turning point: Support from Ready 4 Home

Sammy’s situation began to shift when the council pointed him in the direction of Ready 4 Home.

‘’Ready 4 Home gave me a second chance at life and helped me with supported accommodation, not only did they provide accommodation but they also provided a fantastic team of support workers who was with me every step of my journey’’  

After being introduced to Ready 4 Home things changed rapidly for the better.


A fresh start with Ready 4 Home

The transition from temporary accommodation into Ready 4 Home was smooth and empowering. Sammy immediately noticed the difference.

‘’Within days, I was already integrated into my local community, enrolling in educational courses and learning about different types of support available to me’’

What stood out to Sammy the most was the genuine care and attention shown by the team at Ready 4 Home.

‘’They treated me like family’’, he recalls. ‘’I was welcomed into a clean, safe home with all the essentials i needed, for the first time in a long time, I felt appreciated and cared for’’

As part of his induction, Sammy received a comprehensive orientation about the local area, including:

• Nearby doctors and healthcare services
• Transport links to different parts of the city
• Shops and supermarkets
• Places of worship
• Other key community services
  
  

This tailored support helped him settle confidently and safely, something he had never experienced before.

Rebuilding a future

Sammy has professional experience in accounting in his home country, but his qualifications weren’t recognised in the UK. Ready 4 Home didn’t stop at just providing housing, they went further by helping him enrol in a suitable UK-accredited course, aligning with his career aspirations.

‘’They supported my goals and helped me take steps towards a career, not just a job’’ he says.

Ongoing financial support & Financial planning

Alongside career support, Sammy received practical financial guidance. With the support workers help, he created a financial plan to manage his expenses and prepare for the transition to part-time or full-time employment, ensuring he wouldn’t fall into debt once he left supported accommodation.

‘’We sat down together and planned how I could manage my money, step-by-step. This gave me the confidence I needed to move forward in my accommodation journey’’

When the time came to look for long-term accommodation, the support team were there to support Sammy receiving private and charitable housing options that suited his needs and matched his affordability.

Beyond supported housing

Even after moving on from Ready 4 Homes accommodation, the support didn’t stop.

‘’The team never disappeared,’’ Sammy says. ‘’Her phone was always on. She’d check in with me and make sure I was still okay’’

Then, an unexpected but life-changing opportunity came along: A job at Ready 4 Home.

‘’After two years of instability, I started my first day working for the company that helped me when I was at my lowest. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.’’

A message of hope

Today, Sammy is employed, living independently and looking forward to his future. His journey from homelessness to stability is a testament to what can happen when the right support meets real resilience and determination for a better life.

‘’I’ve gone from a terrified homeless individual to someone ready to share his story in the hope that it can help others in the same position’’.

About Ready 4 Home

Ready 4 home is committed to supporting individuals through high quality supported housing, career-focused development and ongoing personal support. Sammy’s story is one of many, a powerful example of what true person-centred support can achieve.