“Home wasn’t a safe haven for me,” he explains. “In the end, I had to leave and wound-up sofa surfing, but it didn’t seem fair on my friends.”
After leaving home, Conner struggled to cope. And when he approached the council for help, he was only offered a tent. Soon after, he reached crisis point and was admitted to hospital. A housing outreach officer made sure he had somewhere safe to go on discharge and that place was St John’s.
At first, settling in wasn’t easy. “I was withdrawn when I arrived. I also had the stress of a debt that wasn’t mine on my shoulders. But staff stood by me at a tribunal and helped me clear it, which was a huge relief.”
That level of care made all the difference and proved to be a turning point for Conner. “You know staff are here because they care.” He says. “They check on us daily and they listen when I need to talk, or even just vent. What I really like about them is that they meet us where we are.”
Over time, Conner has grown more comfortable at St John’s and more connected to his neighbours and the staff Having his own space, alongside regular support, has helped him feel secure and settled.
“I have my own space, and I have my privacy here, which I didn’t have at home.” He explains. “There are also group activities and trips if you want to get involved and courses designed to help you develop your confidence and prepare for living independently. I’m really interested in these and recently joined an air fryer course and first aid training.”
Now, on the waiting list to move on, Conner feels ready to take his next step. He hopes to move into stage three accommodation, where he can continue his self-development, eventually hoping to live completely independently.
“I do feel more independent, but I’m not quite there yet,” he says. “I have hope now and I didn’t have that before. I’m hoping to improve my cooking skills and when I have my own place, get a cat. Maybe I can volunteer and explore working in mental health support or music.”
Reflecting on his time at St John’s, Conner shares the impact it has had on his life. “It’s been a really positive experience,” he says. “I’m glad places like this exist.”