Who We Are

Joey's* Story

We can all be strong until a crisis hits 
When the most important person in your life dies
It’s a tragedy that will test even the strongest
That was the case with Joey

​Joey was an only child to a single mother, Mary. Mary had two jobs and just about managed to keep a house going while also making sure her son, Joey, had everything he needed. In February 2010, Mary was diagnosed with cancer. Joey didn’t know how to support the strongest person in his life, his mother.  Less than a year later, just shy of Joey’s 18th birthday, Mary died.

Joey lost the only person in his life and in his grief and despair he couldn’t cope. Despite offers of support from health professionals he fell apart. He hid in his house ignoring all life on the outside. Bills were ignored and his finances got into a total mess. The next step was inevitable. Joey became homeless. Joey spent a few weeks wandering, finding a quiet place to rest his head for an hour or two at night. He asked himself many questions about how he ended up where he did – on a street in a town in the Midlands. Was it his mother’s fault for not preparing him for life? Was it his fault for not knowing how to cope? But mostly he asked, ‘Why did mom go?’ 

One Thursday evening, a local man came out to Joey, gave him a few packed sandwiches and rang Midlands Simon Community. Joey was put in contact with our Community Liaison Nurse. Within a few weeks, Joey was in a new home.  There is a great sense of achievement helping someone rebuild their lives and move out of homelessness. I suppose you would call it a perk of our jobs in Midlands Simon Community. This was only possible because of the support we receive from people like you.

Joey is rebuilding his life. He got a part time job and he hopes to give back to those who gave him a second chance.  He still needs weekly support to ensure he can hold on to his new home.  

We all know in Midlands Simon Community that Mary is looking down on her son with pride.

 *Names have been changed to respect the privacy of our clients
What is Homelessness?

Homelessness is about a lack of belonging, a lack of security and a lack of safety. Individuals who use our services are from lots of different backgrounds. We support people in addressing the issues that have caused them to find themselves homeless. We help people to move on and find long-term accommodation. For our Service Users this is a chance for a new beginning and a fresh start.

Please show your support for the homeless services in the Midlands and help someone in your community on their pathway out of homelessness with a kind donation.