Our former clients give unparalleled insight into the challenges they faced, the importance of our work and what they think needs to change.
I feel like with you, it’s very easy to be open and say what you want and need. You aren’t scrutinised down to the penny with Greater Change. They don’t judge or patronise you. There is flexibility and you provide things that other grants turned me away for.
Emotional support is really important and it is available. But the practical support to give you a real restart of your life, to have those basic things to practically help you start over and get out of homelessness, those things are not there. This is why Greater Change is really important.
The funding from Greater Change helped us furnish the property, including sofas and beds. The impact of gradually seeing a blank canvas transform into your home brings you back to life and rebuilds your character that was taken from you when you were ripped to shreds going through homelessness. It was a really transformative experience.
I think the thing with most services is that they make choices for us: where we go, where we eat, what money goes towards. It is helpful, but it strips us of our autonomy. Like it sort of is just like you’re homeless, take this. Whereas with you guys, I get that feeling of support, but it's still our choice.
People need that help because if they don't get the grant, then they only have Universal Credit which is only just enough to pay your bills and just about get something to eat for the month. There is no way of you being able to get furniture. It's very much a hard struggle.