My name is Bradley*. I first came to the Ferry Project many years ago. From the start, my behaviour put other clients at risk, and as I refused to engage with their support services they were unable to keep me with them.

Ferry Project soon learned that I had no family or connections in the area, so I ended up on the streets. Knowing this, Ferry Project offered me a room in Destiny Haven, their on-site emergency accommodation which stands separately from the main hostel. This way they could support me while lowering the risk of harm to their other clients.

It was at this time that they discovered I suffered from debilitating psychosis. However, since I’d never engaged with mental health services I hadn’t received an official diagnosis, so it was left untreated.

The team at Ferry Project's Homeless Hub worked with me to receive support from the Early Intervention in Psychosis team. I struggled to engage with them at first, but was willing to persevere. They officially diagnosed me with drug-induced psychosis which left me with constant auditory hallucinations. These made social interactions almost impossible, and I often ended up in high risk situations without any awareness. I faced a number of criminal charges because of this, but the Ferry Prject team was able to work with law enforcement to avoid any convictions.

When I came to Ferry Project, the DWP still considered me fit and able to work, leaving me without any financial support. I was unable to work, and unable to pay rent, so I fell into arrears. However, they recognised the importance of keeping me somewhere safe with continued access to their support services, so I remained in the hostel.

My first few months were an incredible struggle, but they worked with me to create a unique support plan. They would have short, comfortable conversations with me throughout each day, and gave me small, manageable tasks to help me on the road towards independence. Day by day, little by little, I made progress.

My key worker requested a fit note from the GP, which was granted instantly and could be renewed after three months. They then helped me to complete a Capability for Work assessment and a Personal Independence Payment application, both of which I did not know were available to me. As a result, I was no longer expected to work, and could now focus on managing my mental health.

Ferry Project worked with me to ensure I understood the importance of paying rent. I began to pay it in full, and almost always on time, but I couldn’t pay off my arrears. Then my key worker had an idea. She approached a charity to provide a grant to pay off this debt. At first they were hesitant, but after a long phone call where she explained my situation, and how a fresh start would benefit my future, they granted the full amount to pay off my arrears!

I now lives in social housing under the Next Steps Accommodation Programme. I continue to receive support from Ferry Project key workers and my mental health nurse to manage my psychosis, and I am now able to live almost completely independently. The shadow of homelessness and debt is now a distant memory. I regularly share with Ferry Project how grateful I am for them not giving up on me, and together we look forward to the bright future that lies ahead of me.

*Name changed for anonymity