Clare's story (Health Engagement)

- told by Clare, with support from her Specialist Support Worker

Struggling with life in temporary accommodation

I was referred to Justlife when I was living in temporary accommodation and hadn’t left my room for 2 months because I felt so anxious. I had recently left prison and was struggling to take care of myself. I had painful body sores, was extremely underweight and felt suicidal.

Building trust with my Support Worker

At first I didn’t want support but my Justlife Support Worker was persistent - she brought me food and explained all the different ways that Justlife could work with me to improve my situation. After a month of weekly contact with my Support Worker, I felt that I trusted her and agreed to go outside for the first time in months.

Connecting to my community

We visited Arch Health (a homeless GP surgery in Brighton) for treatment for my body sores and to be prescribed anti-anxiety medication. I was introduced to the Ledward Centre, Brighton’s LGBTQ+ Community and Cultural Centre where I started making positive friendships, and felt a sense of belonging that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

I am about to start an anxiety course, which would have been unthinkable 6 months ago. I regularly go out to the shops and trans-friendly cafes in Brighton by myself now. Due to my mental health issues, I think it is likely that I will always need some support but I feel so much more positive about the future now.

*The person in this image is not Clare. Image sourced from the Centre for Homelessness Impact's image library.