Several years ago, Faith in Action had hit a number of brick walls in attempting to support a Merton resident to move home after he reported alleged abuse and harassment by his neighbours. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve the situation with his housing provider, and continued alleged abuse and harassment, the person (I will call him Thomas) felt unable to return to his home and spent nearly three years rough sleeping.

It was only when Thomas was befriended by Suzy and her husband Chris that his situation was finally began to change. Over time they built trust with him and learned that he had previously been supported by FIA. They contacted us (with Thomas’s consent) and we were able to clarify the situation and suggest courses of action they could try.

After more than a year of showing Thomas care and commitment to his cause, Suzy and Chris raised a safeguarding concern which highlighted his plight. This appeared to have the effect that Thomas’s housing provider finally understand the seriousness of his situation and, after several meetings, they finally offered him a transfer.

Suzy and Chris accompanied Thomas to view his new flat, which he liked. Keeping FIA in the loop with Thomas’s situation, they informed us that he had to now move very quickly. We agreed to support this, we borrowed a van from Dons Local Action Group, got together a group of volunteers, and booked a slot at the local Reuse and Recycling Centre for the following Saturday.