A safe haven to help Jo rebuild his life
- Name: Jo
- Housing association: Peabody
- Housing type: Supported housing
Thirteen years ago, on 7 July 2005, Jo was travelling from his home in Enfield to his job at an immigration support service in Croydon. He was running late, having stopped to buy some snacks for his colleagues. He quickly jumped onto the middle of an underground train at Liverpool Street, rather than his usual carriage towards the back.
Then he heard a devastating noise from the next carriage. He was caught up in the 7/7 bombings.
Despite the chaos, Jo managed to pick up a distressed woman and carry her along the tracks to the safety of the next station. When he emerged from the underground station, he called his manager to tell him he would be late for work. It was only then that he realised he was seriously injured.
Jo struggled to return to normal life. He was offered no help in the aftermath of the attack and his life tumbled into a downward spiral. His mental health deteriorated, he lost his job and he found himself homeless and living on the streets of London.
Eventually, Jo came across St Matthews Church in Brixton, where church members helped him to get back on his feet by finding him a home in Streatham. Then, after two years, Jo moved into a new home in Orsett Street, a supported housing scheme in Kennington run by housing association Peabody.
Peabody provided much-needed support services to Jo and paid particular attention to improving his mental health and curbing his drinking.
Jo now lives in a new apartment, but still has regular visits from a Peabody support worker. His new-found independence has dramatically increased his quality of life, and his family are also there for support.
G15 members are passionate about providing homes for people of all backgrounds and circumstances. This often means investing in our communities to help tackle key issues such as unemployment, poverty and barriers to vital services. The result is that people like Jo can get the support they need – and deserve – to get back to living the life they want.