We first met Harvey when he was rough sleeping in Nottingham; he had become homeless following a relationship breakdown. Harvey used Emmanuel House’s Drop-In service to get food and to chat with people who were experiencing similar situations. Because he was struggling with his mental and physical health, the Drop-In staff referred him to our Wellbeing Support Team for emotional and practical support. During this time Harvey moved into a flat, but he still continued to access Emmanuel House’s services to help with food and wellbeing.

Harvey met with Clare, one of our Multiple Needs Workers, for the first time in the Spring of 2025. She gave him space to talk about his situation to help him process what had happened. Through their meetings, Clare discovered that Harvey had children and he wanted them to be able to visit him in his flat. He also discussed his concern over his physical health needs.

Over the course of a few months, Clare accompanied him to medical appointments, applied for a concessionary bus pass so he could travel to see his children, supported him to fill out forms, and (alongside Disability Support) helped him successfully appeal his PIP** decision after a mix-up with his payments. She encouraged him to join Emmanuel House’s Men’s Group to help him recover from the social isolation that comes with homelessness and provided a non-judgemental listening ear when he wanted to talk.

Gradually, his children started spending more time with him- they began staying at the flat 50% of the time- so Clare discussed ways in which they could make the flat safer and more homely. Following this, she helped him get a bunk bed for the children and applied for a grant from Nottingham Street Aid to get a fridge freezer for his flat. Harvey felt the changes that we made with him allowed him to be the dad he wanted to be, and this has had a large positive impact on his mental health.

Clare said, “I’ve noticed a boost of confidence in Harvey since he was referred to the Wellbeing Support Team. He feels a lot more in control of his situation and [plans to] continue making changes in his life so that he can provide a happy and secure home for himself and his children”.

You can help us support people like Harvey by making a one-off or monthly donation. Just £5 provides one week of meals for a service user.

*This service user’s name has been changed to protect his identity.

**Personal Independence Payment, a form of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions that helps people who have a long-term illness or a disability.