Homeless Army veteran who turned his life around thanks to Arc!

Chris 49 became homeless just over a year ago and found himself sleeping rough in Bridgwater, Somerset. After a couple of weeks of sleeping rough Chris was offered sheltered accommodation with Arc. His story not only demonstrates his own strength and resolve during austerity, but also proves that by integrating armed forces specialist roles within mainstream services help and support can be accessed. 

Having previously served as a soldier in the British Army Chris' veteran status was identified and he was subsequently offered a room in Arc's Veteran acccomdation in Taunton called "Victory House". 

Victory House is temporary homeless accommodation solely for homeless veterans and can house up to eight veterans at any one time. " I found myself homeless after a bad relationship and went to the British Legion Hub in Bridwater who put me in contact with Arc."

Suffering with his mental health and self-esteem, Victory House offered solace and support amongst fellow veterans. It would eventually be Chris' desire for improved resilience and independence that would prove to be the catalyst to "moving on".  

Chris engaged well with support staff, and it wasn't long before he developed the confidence to start working towards bettering his life. "When I got to Victory House, there's two ways you can go - you can become dependant on staying in your room or you can make yourself a better life and that's what I decdided to do."

Chris suffered with his mental health since he left the army in 2003 and was told by an assessment he did with Courage that he had complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He went through therapy whilst at Victory House and got back onto taking regular medication and started counselling. 

Chris was only with Arc at Victory House for just under a year, and within the first six months had completed ten educational courses. He continued to engage well with external agencies, as well as finding time to volunteer at one of the local charity shops. "Getting out of the house kept me going, and i'd work seven days a week sometimes, I felt like I was worth something and it was nice meeting new people. I just wanted to make something of myself and felt like it was my chance." 

One of the many courses Chris completed was the “Tenant Ready Scheme” or “TRS” which is hosted locally by the YMCA. This course is designed to prepare individuals for the responsibilities of being a housing tenant. Homefinder Somerset recognise completion of the course and after actively bidding every week Chris was offered his own flat.  

"Arc gave me a roof over my head and if it wasn't for them I could have been anywhere. I took on a security course at the Job Centre and now I have my security licence."

The NHS armed forces project had recognised two locations within Somerset to become “Armed Forces Hubs,” one being Arc in Taunton and the other being Ark at Egwood based in Merriott. Each site would also have their own dedicated armed forces link worker. Chris not only engaged well with his Armed Forces Link worker at Victory House, but since moving closer to Merriott he now benefits from the support offered by Jon, the Armed Forces Link Worker at Ark at Egwood. 

Chris hopes to soon start as a volunteer at Ark and aspires to eventually work as a veteran’s peer support worker within the NHS. He has started a growing Facebook support group and breakfast club, which can be found by searching "Veterans Chat and Support Group - Chard and Surrounding Areas.