‘Nathan’ is in his late 30s and grew up in a difficult home situation. Other family members had experienced homelessness, and Nathan found himself sleeping in a tent as Winter approached.
Finding Nathan suitable accommodation in Cambridge was proving difficult as he would not give up his dog, who provided Nathan with emotional support and a sense of safety.
We recognise the importance of canine companions at Crossways and have accreditation from Dogs Trust, giving them free access to veterinary care. Nathan was offered a room, and his dog quickly became a much-loved presence around the project.
With support from our team, Nathan began to address issues around anger and develop some practical skills that would help him to live independently.
As a place that would allow Nathan and his dog to stay together was unavailable in Cambridge, our Support Worker worked hard to find private rented accommodation outside the city that was closer to his young son and friends who could provide support. The deposit and initial rent payment came via Cambridge City Council’s Rough Sleeper Initiative.
When there was an issue with his benefits after moving in, he reached out to us, and we were able to help ensure his rent would be covered for up to 12 months, hopefully allowing ample time for him to get into employment.
