Hope Fawsitt

Jason* moved into P3 Safe Spaces in Cheltenham this July. Despite being only 27, he had experienced homelessness several times. He has autism and difficulties with alcohol, and can have up to 15 seizures a day due to his alcohol consumption.

When Jason moved in, he had just done another alcohol detox in hospital so he was presenting as someone who required low-level supported housing. He was coping well, engaging with staff and hadn’t had any seizures during his first week with us.

We provide a safe place to stay for people coming off the streets, with the aim to try source somewhere appropriate for them to live longer-term, and move people on positively. When we told Jason about our potential move-on option for him, we thought he would be happy about it... how very wrong we were!

Because he loved Safe Spaces so much and it was the first time he had ever felt safe and supported, he panicked at the thought of change due to his autism and this resulted in him drinking again.

The drinking became constant, and Jason’s behaviour changed very quickly; he began to avoid taking his medication. He was sometimes having more than five serious seizures a day, resulting in regular visits from paramedics. After talking to his family, we discovered that the best way to introduce change to him was by telling his mum the news first, who would then talk to him about it.

With Jason’s permission this is what we slowly started to introduce. However due to his drinking, the relationship with his mum and his family broke down so we were no longer able to do this. Another barrier to overcome!

Despite our best efforts, Jason’s alcohol intake resulted in another period in hospital. This did give us a ‘restart button’ so we were able to start making progress, whilst also liaising with his local GP practice for a medical review and further information to aid the mental health team and Change Grow Live (CGL). This in turn prompted a response from West Oxfordshire housing provider.

When he returned to us from hospital we were able to guide him with the techniques we had learnt around introducing change and reducing his anxiety about it. We were able to source suitable accommodation somewhere that Jason knew, with staff who were familiar to him and in a place that was closer to his family so that he could begin to rebuild those relationships. We also managed to organise for his father and his grandfather to come to the hub to collect him and help move him in.

Jason has continued to call us to update us on his situation and express his thanks each time. In September he is moving from shared accommodation into a one-bedroom house with staff support, which is a massive achievement for him.

Jason said of Safe Spaces:

“It’s been 110% amazing being here. Darren, Hope and Mandy have always been there for me. I have felt safe here and I don’t want to leave, I love it here that much. I’m going to miss you all but I’ll stay in touch. Thank you so much.”

*name changed to preserve anonymity.