This Easter, let your faith work wonders

John’s story begins in a place many of us can’t imagine. A cramped hotel room, shared with strangers, where privacy was a luxury and hope felt out of reach. After years of unstable housing, he found himself trapped in what he calls “a dark time,” with no kitchen to cook a meal or space to call his own. But today, John’s life looks radically different, thanks to Lighthouse, a mentoring scheme supported by CUF that walks alongside people facing homelessness, helping them rebuild their lives.

“Before Lighthouse, I was stuck,” John shares. “The noise, the chaos…it got me down. Then they helped me move into a Supported Living flat. I’ve got my own kitchen which is really important to me.”

But finding stable housing was just the first step. John wanted to grow, to challenge himself. That’s when Lighthouse paired him with Mark, a volunteer mentor. Every Tuesday, the two meet at a local café. Over coffee, they talk about everything from budgeting to job worries, even troubleshooting phone bills.

“Mark’s become a proper friend,” John says warmly. “He listens. Really listens. When my workplace was restructuring and I feared losing my job, he stood by me. He reminded me I wasn’t alone.”

Lighthouse’s coordinator, Loki, nods. “Homelessness isn’t just about housing. It’s about isolation, lost confidence. Mentoring breaks that cycle. John and Mark’s bond shows how a little support can reignite someone’s belief in themselves.”

Today, John is thriving. He’s enrolled in a Lighthouse cooking course and is training for a fundraising bike ride to give back to the scheme that changed his life. “Lighthouse gave me hope,” he says. “Without it? I don’t know where I’d be.”

This Easter, let your faith work wonders.

For people like John, Lighthouse is a chance to step out of darkness and into a future filled with possibility. But without programs like Lighthouse, many face this journey alone.

''Places like Lighthouse give me hope – I’d be devastated if it wasn’t here. It’s opened doors for me, and shown me other possibilities''

Names changed to protect privacy.
CUF’s Lighthouse program pairs volunteers with guests experiencing homelessness, offering guidance, practical support, and friendship to help them reclaim their independence.