Walthamstow man takes part in prestigious reception on homelessness

Walthamstow man takes part in prestigious reception on homelessness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture courtesy of Homeless Link 
Speakers at the Homeless Link reception, 22 March 2011
[Left to Right: Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive, Homeless Link; Alison Seabeck MP, Shadow Housing Minister; Conrad Daly, former client, Business Action on Homelessness; Leon Sobers, former client, Chapter 1; The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State of Communities and Local Government; The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Minister for Housing and Local Government.]

On 22 March, Leon Sobers, a former resident of Chapter 1’s Walthamstow hostel, Stephen House, attended a Parliamentary reception and spoke about his experiences as a homeless young person in this area.

The event was organised by Homeless Link, which represents homeless charities working in England. They have over recent years made huge progress in supporting vulnerable homeless people to gain skills and get back into employment and housing. The success in moving people out of homelessness and into independence improves not only the well being of the person concerned but also helps the communities that in the past were blighted by the symptoms of homelessness.

Chapter 1 is one of the organisations delivering these services, and Leon was able to talk about the way in which they had helped him get his life in focus. Just a few years ago he was, by his own admission, at risk of going off the rails. Because of the help he received from Stephen House, he has turned his live around. Today he has his own flat, a regular job with a train company, and a young son.