Increasingly we are working with people who are in work or who become homeless having lost their job. Our Accommodation for Work Project was set up to help people like Enes. He worked as a chef and lived in shared accommodation in Brighton. When the job came to an end, he struggled to find another job. His landlord would not accept housing benefit and he quickly became homeless.
He slept rough in doorways, struggling to find work and accommodation. He made a homeless application with the council and was referred to our Accommodation for Work Project. This was the first time in his life that Enes had been homeless. When he came for his interview, it was clear that he was in a state of shock. Mindful that he was rough sleeping, project staff made it possible for him to view a room the same day. Fortunately for Enes, a room had become vacant just the day before.
Although Enes had been in the UK for 17 years, he had mainly lived and worked within the Turkish community and his English still needed improving. In his first session we did an employment plan, and his keyworker supported him to enrol on an ESOL (English as a Second Language) course at City College which enabled him to then pass his food hygiene course. With the help of his keyworker he completed an English assessment for the Step by Step service and is currently working with them to continue to improve his English. Â (The Step by Step Project, run by our partners at the Friends Centre, aims to help homeless people improve their English and maths).
With the security of living in the project and with the support of his keyworker, his confidence improved and Enes was able to look for employment. He started work placements and trail shifts in restaurants, finally securing employment at a local restaurant. Enes moved to a BHT Sussex PRS leased property in Saltdean. He said he ‘loves’ his flat and is happy. Enes also joined the BHT Sussex Pride float this year at Brighton Pride.
