After his divorce, Phil Hill turned to heroin and crack cocaine for comfort. His life was spiralling out of control until he was referred to a supported housing scheme in Hull.

Speaking from The Orchard, developed by Together Housing Group on land donated by Hull City Council and run by homeless charity Emmaus Hull and East Riding, Phil, 52, said:

“I went off the rails after I got divorced and ended up on crack and heroin. I started shoplifting to feed my habit.”

As with all Emmaus schemes, residents at The Orchard, known as companions, are required to work a minimum of 40 hours a week in return for a roof over their head, food and a daily allowance. The community is supported by a social enterprise including a cafe and retail space which sells upcycled household goods.

Phil said: “This place has given me a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning.”

“I’ve learnt a lot since I’ve been here, not only about (qualifications and work) but also how to treat people.

“I’ve not seen my daughter since I split up from my wife. She was just 14 then but will be 32 now. I want her to remember what her dad used to be like, I don’t want her to see me like this. She’s moved on with her life and I don’t want to do anything to bring her down. I’d like to think that one day I’ll be able to reconnect with her again.”

The only benefit the companions claim is Housing Benefit, which until earlier this month was under threat. The government’s announcement that all supported housing funding will be covered by the welfare system, was a victory for the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign. However, there is still work to be done as the government looks at how support costs need to be funded and the sector must continue to demonstrate the value of supported housing so it doesn’t face this uncertainty in the future.

As part of the Starts at Home campaign, Phil is urging the government to protect vital services.

“If it wasn’t for this place I’d still be on the streets, in jail or dead.”

“Without places like this, there would be a lot more crime on the streets. It’s a lifeline for desperate people. For the first time in a long time, I look forward to waking up in the morning.”

When the brewery shut the Scunthorpe pub that Daryl Peachy managed, he not only lost his job but his home.

Forced to shoplift to survive, Daryl ended up in prison where he was referred to a supported housing scheme that he credits with saving his life.

Speaking from The Orchard, developed by Together Housing Group on land donated by Hull City Council and run by homeless charity Emmaus Hull and East Riding, Daryl, 35, said:

“I was living above the pub so when the brewery shut it down, I didn’t only lose my job but also the roof over my head. I started drinking so heavily that I couldn’t tell the difference between drunk and sober.

“Being on the street is dangerous. I witnessed some terrifying things, things that made me disgusted how humans can hurt another human being.

“You do what you have to in order to survive. I ended up in prison for six months. It wasn’t my proudest moment.”

As with all Emmaus schemes, residents at The Orchard, known as companions, are required to work a minimum of 40 hours a week in return for a roof over their head, food and a daily allowance. The community is supported by a social enterprise including a cafe and retail space which sells upcycled household goods.

Since moving in to The Orchard, Daryl has achieved his Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate and City and Guilds in Cycle Mechanics.

Daryl said: “This place has given me my work ethic back, which I’d lost for such a long time. I’ve found something I’m good at, other than pouring beer, which I’ll never do again.

“The staff here have restored my faith in people after what I saw on the streets. They treat you like a human being, not a Housing Benefit number.”

The only benefit the companions claim is Housing Benefit, which until earlier this month was under threat. The government’s announcement that all supported housing funding will be covered by the welfare system, was a victory for the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign. However, there is still work to be done as the government looks at how support costs need to be funded and the sector must continue to demonstrate the value of supported housing so it doesn’t face this uncertainty in the future.

As part of the Starts at Home campaign, Daryl is urging the government to protect vital services.

“Places like this are so important because it gives people like me a purpose in life.

“Before the government think about cutting funding, they need to experience homelessness for themselves. Spend some time on the street, it’s hard and it’s scary. Every day above ground is not necessarily a good day.

“If the government cuts funding, they’ll be killing a lot of people. If it wasn’t for this place, I’d have drunk myself to death.”

Abused for years as a child, Dylan Whiting eventually decided life on the streets was better than what he was enduring at home.

Two years on and Dylan is looking to set his own business up after a supported housing scheme in Hull helped him get back on track.

Speaking from The Orchard, developed by Together Housing Group on land donated by Hull City Council and run by homeless charity Emmaus Hull and East Riding, Dylan, 20, said:

“From the age of six, I was physically, mentally and emotionally abused by my dad. When my mum fell pregnant with my little sister, I didn’t want her growing up in that environment so I left so she wouldn’t have to witness what my dad was doing to me.

“I spent my time in and out of hostels, sofa surfing and on the streets. I’m a big fan of wild camping so I used what I knew to get by. I was referred to Emmaus Hull by the job centre.”

As with all Emmaus schemes, residents at The Orchard, known as companions, are required to work a minimum of 40 hours a week in return for a roof over their head, food and a daily allowance. The community is supported by a social enterprise including a cafe and retail space which sells upcycled household goods.

He said: “I’ve jumped at the chance to try every job on offer here to build up my CV from collections and deliveries to working on the shop floor. Emmaus are even helping me fund my driving lessons so I will be able to drive the van myself. I’m working towards setting up my own business when I leave.”

The only benefit the companions claim is Housing Benefit, which until earlier this month was under threat. The government’s announcement that all supported housing funding will be covered by the welfare system, was a victory for the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign. However, there is still work to be done as the government looks at how support costs need to be funded and the sector must continue to demonstrate the value of supported housing so it doesn’t face this uncertainty in the future.

As part of the Starts at Home campaign, Dylan is urging the government to protect vital services.

“Places like this give people who haven’t got a chance at a decent life a fighting chance. They provide opportunities to people that society looks down on without judgement.”

My name is Dave, I moved into Emmaus August 2017 not with the intentions of being a companion, but as a solidarity bed.

I have had many years rough sleeping and issues with alcohol for many years and drugs.

When I came to Emmaus I chose to become a companion, I did not know if I would be any good at that point.

But as time has gone on I have learnt some new skills, regained some life skills.

I am building on relationships with my family/daughters grandchildren.

I am nearly at my first year with Emmaus, I’ve had my ups and downs but all in all I am enjoying what I am building at present.

And I am looking forward to the future and hopefully one day looking at having my independence back and moving into my own property with the help and support from Emmaus.

Hello, a lot of you will know me by the name Bisi.

I have lived in Hull many years as a lot of you will know, I was rough sleeping for around 14 years.

I am originally from Nigeria and cannot remember when I originally came to Hull.

I have had many issues along my journey and faced many dark nights when I was rough sleeping.

There are a lot of lovely people in Hull who have become my friends and have looked out for me along my way,

Many of who I still see daily on my travels around the city centre.

I first came to Emmaus through the outreach team around the end of 2016, I have not felt safe enough to fully trust people but the outreach team and the staff at Emmaus let me go at my own pace and didn’t push or ask questions.

I started to come and have some meals at first, then I started to stay on the sofa and had some nice sleep.

Then on the 01.01.2017 they offered me my own room!!!.

Which I said yes to, this is the first place in around 15 years I have been able to call home and felt safe and happy.

I still go out walking daily and see some of my friends, I know a lot of people still ask about me if they haven’t seen me in a while but I want everyone to know I am happy!!! And Emmaus have given me that security that I have not had in a long time.

So if you see me around the city centre please stop and say hello 😊

When I moved to Emmaus Hull in October 2017, I had a history of drug abuse and mental issues. Emmaus provided me with a secure place to live, a reason to stay clean of drugs and a reason to get moving every day. I started out volunteering in the different areas of Emmaus 5 days a week, including the shops and kitchen, in return for a good way of life. When I first came to Emmaus, I was quiet and didn’t really talk to anyone. All the people who live and work at Emmaus really made me feel welcome into the family there. I have since moved out into a rented property and now work in business to business sales. I’m enjoying every minute of the new life I am living. Thank you to all the staff and companions at Emmaus Hull & East Riding for the fantastic support and education during my time there. 🙂

I became homeless back in 2012, when I left my family home.  I was causing lots of problems for my family and chose to leave to stop hurting them. I first moved into a hostel when I was eighteen and since then I’ve constantly been in a hostel or sleeping rough on the streets. I also started using legal highs to numb myself from the reality that I was living. I was a mess in need of help.

That all changed when I came to Emmaus Hull and East Riding, they took a chance on me and they have helped me get off drugs, gave me a roof over my head, they have given me training and opportunities to better myself, I have never received so much support and praise from anywhere else apart from here in Emmaus. I can now work a shop till, I have engaged with customers and improved my confidence and communication skills, I have passed courses whilst I have been here such as my Level 2 food hygiene, NVQ Level 2 Warehouse and Storage, I’m currently doing a bike mechanic course which I really enjoy doing and it has made me think of doing it as a career. Emmaus have also helped me get back talking to my family who I’ve missed so much

I’ve never felt happier since coming to Emmaus, I’ve met some great people since being here. I have received so much support from the staff and companions at Emmaus, They have helped me through so much and it makes me feel so much happier knowing I’ve got people here who care.

To be honest I’m not sure what my future may bring. What I hope is for a full time job, my own place to call my home and to hopefully move back to Beverley, which is where I’m from. I’m more confident that It could happen someday, but if it doesn’t It wouldn’t upset me because to be honest I love being here at Emmaus. What I most like about being here at Emmaus, to be honest I can’t choose one individual thing I like because there’s so much I like from being here, The staff and companions here are amazing people, the training and work is so much fun and I love being part of something like this. I will forever be grateful that a place like Emmaus exists and I will always be grateful that I was took in by the place. I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved since being here and just hope that it will continue.

I first came to Emmaus in September 2016 after a patch of excessive drug taking that resulted in me being in massive debt.

When i arrived i was met by people who were judgement free and who only wanted to help me. . Emmaus arranged a work placement for me with Aunt Bessies in their New Product Development Department for 6 weeks which resulted in me gaining a full time apprenticeship in their Ferguson Fawcett Arms restaurant.

Emmaus also supported my pet dog Simba living in the community and helped him find a new home.

The staff at Emmaus have helped me more than anybody ever has, to the point now where i am in full time employment training to be a chef.

My path at Emmaus has not always been smooth, there has been a few problems, but with the staff and fellow companions help and guidance i have always pulled myself back around.

I have met some of my best friends here, friends i will probably have for life now.

This place has given me the motivation, opportunity and support i needed to realise where i wanted to go in life.

The staff have all worked extremely hard to get me where i am in my job, through contacts they have.

I owe my life to Emmaus and can never thank them enough

My name is Alan,

I came to Emmaus in January 2017. I had never even heard of it and couldn’t even spell it, as the staff at Emmaus Hull and East Riding will confirm.

When I first arrived I was at the high end of the depression scale and couldn’t see any way out of it. I was at the lowest point of my life. I was like that for the first couple of weeks. Slowly, after a couple of sessions with the support workers and other staff members, Kelly Thompson, Alex Slater, Kelly Louise Meacock & Caroline Russell, I gradually started to come back out of my shell. The other companions were a large part of this process too. I wish I could name them all but I would get writer’s cramp.

Emmaus Hull and East Riding along with Emmaus UK have done a lot for me, they paid for me to switch my Irish driving licence to a UK one, they have put me through various courses and, most recently, the staff at Emmaus Hull, applied to Emmaus UK for the fees to do the E.C.D.L  V6 Level 1 & 2. When I first asked to do the course I never really expected a positive result for the fees because it is by no means a cheap course. I was extremely happy when it was agreed.

I passed the course in December, which I am extremely thankful for, otherwise I know at least one of the staff would have kicked my butt. It’s ok Alex I won’t mention any names. A couple of weeks after passing the course I got a job offer and started work after the new year. I am now in the move on process and am still getting all the support I need, help with finding a flat etc.

I haved really enjoyed my time at Emmaus and cannot thank the staff and fellow companions enough for all the help and advice they have given me during my time here.

Thanks so much guys, and in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I’LL BE BACK ( not permanently though 🙂