The domino effect

Bryan, 33, first heard about HARP when he contacted the council looking for help after being evicted.

“Homelessness can happen to anyone. Before I became homeless, I was working, had my own flat, getting on with life. But then a breakup happened, my anxiety got worse, debts started piling up… and I lost my place.

I’d already lost touch with my family after coming out,  I had no savings, no one to call. Sleeping rough was the only option I had.

That first week was brutal. No sleeping bag, no tent, nothing. I felt so ashamed. I kept thinking, how did I, a grown man, let this happen to me?”

The HARP connection

That’s when HARP’s Street Outreach Team found Bryan and Ritchie. They connected him to the Bradbury Day Centre, where he could finally get a hot shower, some food and, most importantly, proper advice and support.

His support worker helped him move into HARP’s emergency accommodation, and from there into one of their housing first services.

“It’s so peaceful here. Everyone in the service has been through similar stuff, we’re all trying to recover together. It feels a really supportive place to live.”

A constant companion

Throughout everything, Bryan’s had one constant companion, Ritchie, an adorable black Pomeranian.

“Without Ritchie, I honestly don’t know if I’d have made it through those nights on the streets. Having him there, having someone depending on me – that was my coping mechanism. It’s why so many people sleeping rough have dogs.”

These days, Bryan’s working on rebuilding his confidence and self-esteem. He’s making plans to get back into work and start building his own gaming and fashion design brand online.

Bryan says: “The support from HARP’s team honestly blows me away sometimes, its overwhelming. They genuinely care about helping you rebuild. They don’t let you dwell on the past too much, it’s all about what your future looks like.”