"I was homeless for 12 months, living in a tent on a golf course"
Finding a Place of Welcome opened the door to practical support and a vital sense of community for Colin.
When Colin lost his father, he also lost his home
But thanks to kind people like you, he found a Place of Welcome at his local church, and a whole new sense of belonging.
Places of Welcome is a growing network of over 800 CUF-supported spaces, dedicated to providing people with a much-needed sense of belonging. They offer a safe place for people to connect with one another, to find practical help, and to contribute their own gifts and skills.
Feeling you are part of a community really matters, especially when you’re homeless, as people can be quick to judge you. As Colin explains, “I only told one or two people at work that I was homeless, and they almost didn’t believe me. I wasn’t scruffy and dirty like they expected.” But at Places of Welcome, the atmosphere is very different: “ It’s welcoming, warm, and friendly. Everyone here is nice and there is always food for everyone.”
Finding a Place of Welcome has been a lifeline for Colin, in more ways than one
”I was here when my case worker called about temporary housing. With living in a tent, my phone had died, but I was able to put it on charge and I had a voicemail. I called and went to see the place where I’m now living.”
It’s thanks to CUF and our supporters that precious opportunities like this can be seized instead of missed. But while Colin now has a roof over his head, with contract work, his income is far from secure: “You can get four hours a week, or sixty, or even no hours”, he says. So, getting by remains a struggle.
Despite the uncertainties, nothing will prevent Colin from giving back. He’s a determined volunteer: “I’ve got the food experience and certificates due to my job, and I know I can be useful”, he says. And while he describes his progress as ‘baby steps,’ the journey from life in that tent to where he is now is a huge distance travelled for Colin.
This Christmas, Colin has a warm dry home and is part of a loving church community. But many more people are still homeless or struggling with poverty and exclusion. You can help us reach them too by supporting our Advent Appeal.
