So many people’s worlds were turned upside down by the pandemic. Among them was Jethro. Now a guest of Big Breakfast Plus, and well on the way to rebuilding his life, it was Covid that changed everything for him, ultimately leaving him homeless.
“I had always led a professional life, and pre-Covid I was a caretaker and cleaner for a school, a support worker, and also a mobile hairdresser.
“Covid came along and knocked me for six. We couldn’t see anybody. I was living on my own and it was so isolating. While I had always used drugs recreationally, they became prevalent in my life. I burned through savings and got into rent arrears.”
Jethro did manage to get a temporary contract working in a supermarket but found it difficult. Customers, desperate to buy their groceries, were abusive to staff and many were ignoring social distancing rules.
“When that contract was over, and just after lockdown, I was illegally evicted and lost almost all my possessions because I had nowhere to go. I just had to leave everything behind and found myself homeless.”
The Salvation Army took Jethro in, and this proved to be a turning point. He managed to engage with mental health services and so began his road to recovery and ending his drug abuse.
“All the services were so helpful. Hats off to all of them, in my hour of need they were all there.”
Jethro has now been in his own flat since spring and says it’s fantastic. He has benefited hugely from the food and companionship offered by Big Breakfast Plus.
“I love Big Breakfast Plus; these guys are great. I used to come here more often, but don’t need to come so much now.”
Jethro hopes to get back into the workplace one day, and is already doing some volunteering, for The Hepatitis C Trust. He feels he can empathise with so many people because he has experienced what they have.
“I am still at the tail end of my mental health issues, but once I am stable in myself, I’d like to do more. I want to help, because I have been through it, and I come from a place of authenticity.”
Big Breakfast Plus was there for Jethro when he needed us. We are there for so many others too but can only do the work we do with funding. If you would like to help us, please make a donation here. Thank you.