Twenty-one year old Luke* had been sleeping in a tent in a park for several months. Despite living in appalling circumstances and having no income, he did not meet the local council’s definition of priority need. He was desperate and had nowhere to turn.

Fortunately, Luke found the details of Step by Step when he was searching for help online and our Launch service was able to support him. We gave him access to a shower and food parcels, while his Support Worker helped him to claim Universal Credit.

With his short-term needs met, the next priority was to find Luke somewhere safe and stable to live. His Support Worker helped him look for rooms in shared houses, but it soon transpired that he didn’t have the life skills and confidence to live independently. He would need support to learn how to cook, manage his income and maintain a tenancy.

As well as supporting young people directly, Step by Step has relationships with partner organisations that young people can be referred to. We didn’t have an immediate place for Luke, so his Support Worker negotiated a place for him with the Amber Foundation - a charity supporting young people with a high level of need.

Eight days after presenting to Step by Step as homeless, Luke had a stable environment to work on developing life skills and progressing into independence.

We are delighted to report that Luke is now attending University, living in halls and thriving in his new life. His Step by Step Support Worker will always remember the young man who came to us when living in a tent and who now has a bright future ahead of him.

* Name changed to respect privacy