Mark* had a job working as a Queen’s Guard, until he moved to Ireland in April of last year, as he had been offered a new job. Unfortunately, only one month after starting this new chapter in his life, Mark suffered a stroke, which left him with reduced mobility on the left side of his face and body. Unable to continue working after this, he was unable to access any benefits in Ireland and, despite trying his best to stay on his feet, he ended up on the streets.
“Luckily, I managed to get back in contact with my sister, who was in the UK. I called her and I told her my situation. I had tried to get help from different organisations before, but no luck. It was her who got in touch with First Light Trust and told them about my situation”.
First Light Trust works across the UK to support veterans like Mark. Lynne, a support worker in that organisation, quickly got to work: the most important thing was to make sure Mark had a stable roof over his head. Mark’s sister had arranged for him to get back to the UK and was supporting him for the first few nights staying in a hotel, so Lynne applied to the Vicar’s Relief Fund to continue to pay for his stay. We were happy to help pay for the room so he could stay there until his permanent accommodation was ready.
“If it wasn’t for my sister, the Vicar’s Relief Fund and First Light Trust, I couldn’t have made it. Not only did they pay for my stay at the hotel, but they also helped me with my medication and the support I needed to get healthier again”.
Mark then moved to a house which he shares with other veterans, and where he can continue recovering his health and getting back on his feet.
“I have a support network here, and I am looking to stay here for a year or so… That way, I can get all the help I need with my medical treatments, and I can get myself healthy again. I am someone who likes my own space, mind you, but it is good here is in this house. I have been referred to Health for Heroes so I can continue recovering from my stroke. And then, once I recover, I can hopefully move on to live on my own again.”
*Please note the names and pictures of beneficiaries might have been changed to protect their privacy.
