Three months on: Simon’s story part 2

Last month Simon* shared his story in this blog post.

He came to us in January, when at 56, he found himself living on the streets.

We caught up with Simon, and here he explains the changes in his life:

“The last time we spoke, I was moving into my flat. Since then, a lot has happened.

“I’ve settled in well and started making my space feel like home. I put out a request for some household essentials, and the generosity of people has been amazing. One kind lady, Alex, went above and beyond—she gifted me a TV, a DVD player, pots and pans, an air fryer, a kettle, a slow cooker, bedding, and even a full crockery set.

Simon's makeshift bed on the streets and now his lovely new home.

“A huge thank you to Alex and everyone who has helped. For now, I’m keeping to myself, but I’ve noticed how friendly the local community is. There are plenty of charity shops to explore, which has been great.

“I absolutely love volunteering in The Ark charity shop with Sue. I’m gradually building my confidence to use the till, and I’ve been busy sorting and organising, which I really enjoy. I try to go in as often as I can, so if you’re passing by, feel free to stop in and say hello.

Simon has also been applying for a variety of jobs and after a couple of interviews, he’s thrilled one has been successful; he started working at the beginning of April.

To transform his flat into a home, Simon’s been decorating, picking up pictures, ornaments, and even a coffee table from charity shops.

“One of my favourite finds was a horse picture,” he says. [Simon has a passion for horses, and growing up next to a stable, he found sanctuary in that space. He gained an apprenticeship as a conditional jockey at the age of 16, but after a terrible fall left him with a broken back, his racing career abruptly ended when he was 24.]

Simon’s also been exploring his neighbourhood.

“I’ve been walking around the local area and discovering some beautiful spots. My favourite place so far is the Hill Fort, built in 1012. You can walk all around it, and it’s absolutely stunning,” he adds.

“I’m truly grateful to have a roof over my head, though I do miss the sense of community and friendships from before.

“To stay connected, I still visit The Ark as a volunteer, helping out in the shop and wherever else I’m needed."

We are so pleased to have been a positive part of Simon’s story, and help him rebuild his life.

Everything we do to support vulnerable people in our community is because of your generosity – huge thank you!

We never charge for our services, and totally rely on grants and donations, and the goodwill of volunteers.

Could you support our CEO Sleepout at The Croud Meadow on May 15? If you or your team would like to join us, sleeping out to raise awareness of homelessness, it's not too late to join - find out more here.

Or you can make a donation directly into our CAF bank account here.

If you are looking for a volunteer role, either at the day centre or at our shop, please get in touch.

And please do spread the word - follow us on social media and give us a shout-out: we’re active on X (formally known as Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TicToc.

*Names have been changed