Today we share the story of ex-client Tony, who has rebuilt his life and is doing amazing work in the Bridgwater community. With support from Arc, he now helps others and continues to inspire those around him.
At St Mary’s Church in Bridgwater, Tony is a familiar face to anyone who walks through the door. On Mondays and Wednesdays, he helps run two wellbeing groups with the vicar’s daughter, supporting people with learning difficulties and rough sleepers.
On Thursdays, during the church café, Tony has created his own little area where rough sleepers can come in from the cold, grab something to eat, charge their phones, get some warm clothing, and receive a bit of support. He has built a safe, welcoming space, ensuring people have everything they need to feel warm and fed. On top of that, he runs two AA meetings every week: Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings.
Tony’s passion for helping people is clear:
"If I can just help one person, I’ll die a very happy man."
Because of his lived experience of being on the streets, he is relatable to those who are currently rough sleeping. He’s even been invited to a council meeting to discuss how the community can better support Bridgwater’s rough sleeper population.
Tony has been homeless for around 40 years. His turning point came on 7 August 2024, when he went into rehab. He left on 17 August, and after spending a month on the street, he ended up in Highbridge. Through the council and a doctor’s referral, he was connected to Arc, where he met Outreach workers Amy and Rich, who visited him every morning. They helped him secure a referral interview at Lindley House and then a place at Dampiet House and he walked into St Mary’s Chruch the very next day.
"One morning I woke up and thought, I’ve had enough. I reached out to my doctor for help, who referred me to Turning Point and SIDAS, and I ended up in rehab in Weston. For the first time in 40 years, I was clean. I was left with all these raw thoughts, emotional, no comfort blanket anymore, so I walked the streets for two weeks crying until I finally found comfort in the church and got a lot of answers."
After rehab, Tony packed his bag and headed to Highbridge, determined to make something of himself. After originally being turned down by the council, a village agent helped by writing a referral to his doctor, who then wrote a letter to the council, leading to his referral to Arc.
"I was sleeping in the church graveyard for around a month, and Rich and Amy would come out every morning to see me before I got the good news that I had an interview at Arc. This is where my journey really started."
At Dampiet House, Tony met Julie, his support worker and doors started to open for him;
"Julie was someone I really needed in my life. She pulled me from the clouds and made me bring myself down to earth. At the time, I had loads of crazy plans, but she kept me grounded."
With Julie’s help, Tony spent just over a year at Dampiet House before moving into his own place on 7 August 2025, exactly one year after entering rehab. Julie provided the kind of support he needed “
someone I couldn’t manipulate” which is important when coming from a life of addiction.
"Now, if I come up with any crazy ideas, I always ask myself, 'What would Julie say?' I was Gold Banded for a few months, and the first property I bid on, I got. Julie advised me to take a house away from any temptations or anyone that might lead me astray… another thing she was right about!"
Tony reflects on his journey as
amazing, despite not being able to read and write. He is loving what he does with the church and hopes to take an adult education course, and perhaps one day become a Peer Mentor and work professionally,
maybe even Arc!
"I left Dampiet with just the clothes I had. After taking all my life, I didn’t want to take anything I didn’t need. My mum died when I was 12, which is why I ended up rebelling. Over the last two years, I’ve grown my bond with my brother and sister, and they had put some money aside for me. My brother and sister have visited my new place and built that trust back in me. In a whole year, after 40 years, my life has had a massive turnaround. Now I just want to give back for all I took. I’m so passionate about helping others."
Drugs and drink were his armour. Rehab was a wake-up call, and he stayed sober even while still living on the streets;
"I felt like I was being left behind in life and woke up one day knowing I had had enough! I was tired of being selfish as I had lost so much. I’m now grateful for my life, grateful for the bad times and dark long nights, they are all part of my journey."
Tony’s journey has been shaped by support, care, and trust. The church has given him purpose and foundation, Arc gave him support and a home, and Julie helped him rebuild his confidence. Simple gestures like a Christmas shoebox and a welcome pack, meant the world to him when he had nothing.
"The shoebox I was given at Christmas was so important to me, the fact that someone thought of me during that time meant the world to me when I was quite lonely. It was a beautiful touch. Another great touch was the Welcome Packs. All those extra little things mean so much, they add up to a mountain when you have nothing. The little personal message in my card touched my heart."
Tony is proud of his story and doesn’t hide anything. His life today includes a Yorkshire Terrier, his own home, and the joy of giving back. He hopes to organise a Christmas dinner at the church and start collecting donations of gifts to make sure others feel the same warmth and care he once received.
"My journey has been amazing, the church, Julie, my stay at Dampiet House, and the support from Rich, Amy, and Tracey at Outreach has been incredible. Julie really looked out for me; she helped me stay honest, build my confidence, and even encouraged me to make my bed every morning, a small thing that made a huge difference. Arc was a massive stepping stone for me; if I had been given just a house without their support, I would have struggled. It was reassuring to know that someone had my back. When I found the church, I was so full of rage, but it taught me to forgive, which helped take all the hate away and take full ownership of my actions."
Tony’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery, purpose, and hope are possible, even after decades of hardship. Today, he is thriving, living independently, giving back to his community, and embracing every opportunity that comes his way. His journey has been truly inspiring, and the team at Arc are excited to see what he will achieve next, as his determination and passion continue to make a difference every day in the lives of others.
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