- by Rebecca, Ronnie's Specialist Support Worker
One of the biggest differences is being able to live without a cockroach running up and down you and going to bed without being bitten by bed bugs
Jonathan was living in an Unsupported Temporary Accommodation property that had a severe infestation of cockroaches and bed bugs, leaks in the ceiling and broken showers. In one of the bedrooms, the ceiling had fallen in. In spite of having mobility issues, his room was up a flight of stairs and he was reliant on another resident to do his food shop. A lack of basic kitchen facilities in the UTA meant he could only prepare food in his room with a microwave and a kettle. He had to purchase his own fridge as the landlord did not provide one, and had to dispose of the bed due to the bed bug infestation, leaving him with no choice but to sleep on a camper bed for months, exacerbating his health conditions and reducing the quality of his sleep.
Justlife, alongside the residents, made complaints about these conditions and all of the residents, including Jonathan, were served an eviction notice. We organised homelessness assessments and Manchester Move registrations for all residents who wanted them. Fortunately, a few people were quickly offered sheltered accommodation for over 55s, including Jonathan. He was overjoyed with the flat he was offered where he had his own space and his own kitchen.
We supported him to get furniture and have a carpet fitted and he “slept like a baby” on his first night there, having a proper bed to sleep in for the first time in months.
As he struggled with mobility, he avoided going to supermarkets and didn’t have much food in his fridge. Initially, he was hesitant to start ordering food online but we helped him through the process and eventually, he began doing them independently. This, alongside having access to a kitchen, has helped him save money, eat healthier food, avoid running out of supplies, and not worry about the stress of walking to the shops.
We also advocated for him to have an in-person assessment from social services as they’d only spoken to him over the phone. Following a few different assessments, they provided him with aids that will make it easier for him to get out and about and be more independent.
When asked how things have changed since he move, he said:
*Jonathan is not this person's real name or the person in the image. Photo from the Centre for Homelessness Impact Image Library.