Our Housing Manager Jacko is honoured with the Spotlight Award from Healthwatch Middlesbrough to celebrate his dedication to the community.

I have been in and out of prison all my life. I have struggled with alcohol and drug addiction and homelessness. I was in a proper deep well for years and I could not get out. I tried rehab but I could not hack it. Lost my family too. In the end it was at Narcotics Anonymous where I discovered ‘hope’.

Going there, I watched other people get clean, grow and get jobs, and I thought “they are no different from me. We all come from the same place,” and that is where the hope came from.

Bit by bit, I started rebuilding my life – got clean, got a job, started volunteering with Depaul at their drop-in centre for people sleeping rough. I loved it there. I knew their lives; I knew their struggles because I had been there. Now, anything I can do to help others in that situation, I will. It is what I get up for every day.

I was buzzing when they offered me a permanent job managing our housing for ex-rough sleepers. I could not believe it, and you would be hard pressed now to pull me away. Every morning, I know that someone somewhere, in the flats, on the street or at the drop-in, is going to need some support today.

I spend my time between the flats, the drop-in and supported housing – I might be looking for someone who has gone missing, sorting out someone in a bad state, or helping someone who has not eaten in days get to a food bank. Sometimes it is as simple as providing a SIM card or a pair of socks. But often I will spend my time supporting those struggling with addiction issues, like mine.

A lot of the drop-in lads and lasses I have known in my past, they have seen me change and grow. Lads, like Darren, I know I have made a difference, helped him get off drugs, get back on his feet – he has a job now and a car, I could not be prouder. I will always try my best to empower and guide those who are open to that, let them know about services that can support them, put them in touch. But sometimes I am just someone to talk to, someone who can give them a blanket, show a little love.

The most important thing I think is that they trust me. When you are homeless people tell you something, but you cannot believe them because it never comes true, so you learn not to trust. That’s what’s different about Depaul and that is why I love working here. If we say we are going to do something, we do it. If I tell someone I am going to help them, I will not let them down. They know what I say is what I will do. It does not matter what time of day or night.

Honestly, my heart beats with homelessness and I do this job because I love it, it is a passion, it is not about being rewarded. But to come from where I have come from to get something like this award, it is nice.

You know, I have never really been able to look at myself in the mirror before and say “you’re doing all right Jacko” – like I did when I got the award. So, I’m grateful.

But honestly, it is a team effort. I would not be able to do what I do without the help and support of Nana, Sarah and Nicky. We are a proper close-knit team and help each other out. So yeah, I am grateful and I am excited to carry on with Depaul and see what the future holds.

The Spotlight Award from Healthwatch Middlesbrough recognises individuals and organisations making a significant difference to health and social care services in the area.

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