Jack stood at the front of the room in the House of Commons—nervous but steady. Behind him, the weight of his journey. In front of him, the chance to speak not just for himself to our supporters, but for thousands of young people who know what it means to face homelessness and feel invisible.

In the crowd, watching proudly, was Mia —our National Client Involvement Coordinator. She has been there every step of the way, encouraging Jack, helping him find his voice, and championing his involvement.

Jack, based in the North East of England, is part of a national network of young people who have been supported by Depaul UK services—also known as clients—and are now helping shape how those services evolve. As Jack puts it:

“We define the Client Rep role as being the voice of all clients—with the aim of influencing change and offering support clients feel is appropriate to help them on their journeys.”

A quietly confident young man with a thoughtful presence and a sharp sense of purpose, Jack brings deep insight to his role. He also has autism—something he speaks about with openness. It is a core part of who he is, and it also highlights a wider issue: neurodivergent people, particularly those with autism, are at greater risk of homelessness. Research estimates that around 12% of people experiencing homelessness are autistic, compared to just 1–2% of the general population of the UK.

Jack knows what it means to fall through the cracks. After finishing a degree in sports education, he was on track to pursue teaching—until the COVID lockdowns hit, and his Nana passed away. Grief, isolation, and a family breakdown triggered a decline in his mental health. He eventually slipped into what is known as hidden homelessness—not sleeping on the streets, but without a stable or safe place to call home. Like so many young people, he was sofa surfing, living day to day, and unsure where to turn next.

When Jack was referred to Depaul UK, he moved into supported accommodation in the North East. It was not just a place to stay—it was a place to rebuild. Through our Programmes Team, he accessed therapy, wellness workshops, and support tailored to his goals and needs.

“From the moment I stepped into that office, I felt valued,” Jack recalls in his speech. “I like to say I was a broken jigsaw puzzle. Without Depaul, I do not think I could have put it back together.”

Over time, Jack began volunteering, mentoring, and contributing to projects that helped others. Slowly, his confidence returned. What he had once seen as setbacks became strengths—tools he could use to support his peers.

Since becoming a Client Rep, he has been deeply involved in shaping the organisation’s work—from co-leading workshops with the Senior Leadership Team to helping design Peer Fest, our annual client retreat packed with activities that build wellbeing and community. He has sat on recruitment panels, contributed to programme evaluations, and even completed a placement with the Programmes Team in Whitley Bay—visiting partners, shadowing staff, and building a referral database focused on wellbeing, education, and neurodiversity.

All that work led him to this speech in the House of Commons. It was, he says, one of the most daunting things he’s ever done.

“When I first came to Depaul, I was very socially anxious—I could not even get on a bus or a Metro. And now I have managed to deliver a speech at the House of Commons. That is huge.”

It is huge. And Mia, who helped him prepare for that moment, knew exactly how much it meant. She watched with pride as  Jack stood tall—not just as someone who’s overcome hardship, but as someone changing systems, speaking truth to power, and inspiring others.

Jack’s story is one of transformation, but it is also one of action. He is not just reflecting on the past—he is helping to build a better future for those coming after him.

Watch a snippet of Jack’s speech here:

Source: https://www.depaul.org.uk/