James’ Story

“The difference is that now, I know I’m never alone—there’s always someone I can talk to at Speke House.”

James served as a Ranger in the Army, enlisting in 2001 at just 19 years old. During his time in the military, he completed two operational tours—one in Iraq, where he was deployed for six months, and another in Northern Ireland for 12 weeks. His service record was exemplary, and he still reflects on those years as “the best experience of my life.”

However, following his deployments, James began experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Struggling to cope, he went AWOL in 2004. Despite this, he never lost his sense of pride in serving and still considers the Army a defining part of his identity. In 2008, he was officially discharged and began the process of rebuilding his life.

James transitioned into civilian work in 2009, starting as a subcontractor for Virgin before working his way up to Area Manager. He later moved into road tarmacking, which he continued until 2021, when his mental health made it too difficult to continue. Around the age of 30, he also developed a dependency on cocaine, which lasted for three years. The addiction caused him to withdraw from friends and family, and as his PTSD symptoms worsened, his marriage began to break down. Choosing to protect his children from seeing him in that state, he moved out of the family home and in with his mother.

During this period, his mental health deteriorated further, and the strain deeply affected his mother. “She was terrified to come home and find I had taken my own life. Every day, I had to reassure her I’d be okay, while secretly fighting suicidal thoughts.” With nowhere to turn and no support network, James felt completely lost.

Desperate for help, he reached out to the Royal British Legion (RBL), who referred him to Launchpad. After a risk assessment, he was approved for a place at Speke House, and while waiting for accommodation, RBL covered the cost of a hotel stay. He moved into Speke House in April 2024. Even then, James struggled to settle. “Even though I had a roof over my head, I still felt homeless.”

A turning point came when a friend—a previous resident of Speke House—told him about the support available. At first, James kept himself to himself, hesitant to engage with staff and other residents. But with encouragement, he took a leap of faith. “It took a lot of courage, but I knew I wouldn’t get this chance again. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”

Through Speke House, James accessed therapy with John Lucas, which helped him manage his PTSD and rebuild his confidence. For the first time in years, he began to feel a sense of stability. He also started participating in activities, something he had once avoided. “Before, I wouldn’t even go out with my kids—I’d just give them money to go out without me. Now, I get involved in as much as I can. It’s like I’m reliving the years I lost to mental health and addiction.”

After 10 months at Speke House, James has made remarkable progress. His confidence has grown, and his relationship with his children is stronger than ever. “My kids have seen the positive changes in me, and now I can finally make them proud.”

James recently secured employment in construction, working on footways and roads. While he acknowledges that his mental health is still a challenge at times, he now has a solid support system in place. “The difference is that now, I know I’m never alone—there’s always someone I can talk to at Speke House.”

Looking ahead, James is working with South Liverpool Homes to secure his own permanent accommodation and continue providing for his family.

James’ journey is one of resilience, transformation, and hope. With the right support, he has turned his life around and is now focused on building a brighter future for himself and his family.