Starts At Home Day

As ever, Starts at Home is a day of celebration, to shine a light on all the brilliant work housing associations do to provide crucial support to residents, and the positive impact safe and secure housing has on residents’ lives, the lives of their families, and the communities who are thriving as a result.

An important part of this is sharing resident’s stories who have lived in social housing. Below, Elim resident Abbey shares with us the impact social housing has had on him.

Originally from Uganda, Abbey found himself homeless in 2017 following a family breakdown. Abbey has moved through our support services onto independent living, originally living at our support scheme Ron Jones House, through to a house of multiple occupation and then finally into his own Elim flat in Bristol City Centre where he currently resides.

Can you tell us about your living situation prior to Ron Jones House?
My relationship with my wife broke down and I couldn’t live at the family home anymore, but we had 3 children together so I wanted to be close by so I could still see them. My Probation Officer helped me apply for support with Elim Housing and shortly afterwards I was able to move into Ron Jones House. It was a great relief to finally find accommodation.

What were the main areas of support you received whilst at Elim?
For me it was all about my children, I missed them so much. At Ron Jones House they were able to come and visit for the day but it wasn’t ideal for 3 small children. The main area of my support plan was around finding a permanent home where my children could stay over night as part of our shared access agreement.

The Manager Andy at Ron Jones House was great, he really listened to what I had to say and understood what I needed, but with no messing around!

I was suffering with depression and struggling to manage the main triggers of this. I felt like I kept getting knocked down but eventually things started to get a little better and I could carry on working towards my goals. I’m a creative person so for me, Art and Music helped my recovery.

How did you find moving from a shared house to having your own flat?
Ron Jones House and St Marks served their purpose but where I live now is a proper home for me and my children. They can stay over at my own private flat and we have access to a garden which I help look after. I’ve been there 3 years now, it’s quiet and peaceful and I feel calm.

What are your future aspirations?
I’m a support worker for St Mungo’s which I really enjoy. I’ve been through the system and I know how it works, if I can help others navigate their journey then that’s great. I am able to use my life experience to help others and that means a lot to me, I want to help people.

Future aspirations.... I want to apply to Bristol University to study something around Mental Health Support so I can have a career I’m proud of.

Ron Jones House is located in central Bristol and houses men aged 22+ who are either experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. RJH provides support to 42 residents in single rooms with shared living facilities.

Part of Bristol’s homelessness pathway for men, the pathway is delivered by The Salvation Army, in close-partnership with Second Step, Self-Help Housing Association, LiveWest, Places for People, and Elim.

Referrals to Ron Jones House are made by Bristol City Council’s Housing Support Register or referrals via the pathway providers above.

To find out more, call the Ron Jones House Team on 0117 9425500.