Paul’s Story

“I am extremely optimistic about my future. I do believe I will get everything I need from Speke House staff to secure a solid future for myself, I cannot wait to see what life has in store for me.”

Paul served three years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), responsible for maintaining and repairing the Army’s equipment.

He joined the REME to help him gain additional qualifications and achieve an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in electrical engineering and was able to serve a career spanning 30 years, working for various organisations. He completed a five-year software apprenticeship at Marconi where he also attended college once per week.

He had a good job and was renting a flat in Liverpool but after a health scare, his mental health took a turn for the worse and he ended up losing his job as it was only a temporary contract. He was issued with an eviction notice from his private landlord and was given two months to find a new home.

Paul thought, as a veteran, he would be able to get help from his local council or local housing associations but, because he was not classed as ‘unwell’, he was not a priority. He said, “This was the loneliest time for me, it made me realise I was alone with no home or income and I had to do something to get back into work, but who could I turn to?”

He looked for work and applied for jobs but he could not gain employment as he didn’t have a fixed address. He said, “I needed a base, a roof over my head. If I could just get accommodation, I was sure that the rest would follow.”

Then, one day, luck was on his side and somebody signposted him to Launchpad’s Speke House. Within 24hrs of completing a referral form and risk assessment, he received the news he had been waiting for and a flat would be available for him within two days.

He got in touch with Op FORTITUDE who provided him with temporary hotel accommodation for two nights until his flat was ready for him to move in to. He said, “For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was no longer invisible, I was being heard.”

Paul moved into Speke House in November 2023 and has settled in really well. Within one week of moving in, he managed to secure employment with a website design company, he was engaging in activities that were organised within the house and he attended sessions with the in-house therapist.

He said: “My flat was furnished and I received a welcome pack with a few basics which is exactly what I needed to restart my life. The staff are always on hand for a chat and although I’ve only lived here for a short while, my progress has been phenomenal. I knew I had the potential to gain employment, but I was being hindered by the system.

“I was work-ready and engaged with Launchpad’s employment and training specialist who supported me.

“The beauty about living at Speke House is you have your own front door. If you want company, you can go to the communal lounge and there will always be someone there ready to chat to you, no matter what time of day or night.”

Paul is now working full-time – three days from home and two days in the office and is enjoying it. He has been able to take on additional work and finds the time to engage in activities and therapy.

He said: “I know if my mental health takes a dip, I can soon tap into the help that Speke House provides. My confidence is much better and I have made lifelong friends here.

“I felt like I was on a hamster wheel. If it wasn’t for meeting that guy who referred me to Speke House, I believe my mental health would have got to a state of disrepair. I had no clue how to get myself accommodation and I was desperate to get a job. I felt the system was working against all my hopes. I dread to think where I would have ended up, probably still homeless and unemployed.”

Paul is already making plans and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him. He has registered with social housing providers and will continue to receive the support he needs to be able to move on to live independently giving him hope of a brighter and more secure future.