Ryan’s journey to NCNW began at a point where life had unravelled. He was street homeless, using substances, and dealing with profound personal loss. With nowhere stable to go, he was sleeping rough and trying to survive day by day.

Like many people in crisis, Ryan was searching for help however he could. He found NCNW while looking online and tried to access support where possible. He describes moving between services, but NCNW was the first to help him get a foot back on the ground.

When Ryan first accessed accommodation, it was a step forward, but it was not straightforward. He was initially housed in a shared flat and he did not feel it was the right match for him at that time. That lack of fit mattered. Ryan’s experience shows something important: simply being indoors is not always enough if the environment does not support recovery. Eventually, Ryan returned to the streets and began drinking again, falling back into homelessness.

The turning point came when Ryan reached out to NCNW for a second time. This time, he was offered accommodation in Warrington that genuinely met his needs. The difference was immediate. Ryan felt settled and supported, and the stability of a safe space created the conditions for him to start rebuilding.

With that stability, Ryan took a major step forward. While living in the accommodation, he enrolled in college and completed a plumbing course. It was not just a qualification. It was proof to himself that he could move forward, commit to something, and finish it. Ryan describes the impact of NCNW’s support plainly: he says it has meant he is the happiest he has been in years.

Ryan also engaged with other NCNW services along the way, including counselling and training, which supported him beyond housing alone. Today, he is living in a move-on property with NCNW, working part time, and waiting for his own permanent home. He describes himself as a completely different person than when he first came, more sociable, happier, and closer to who he used to be.

Ryan’s advice to anyone considering support is clear: if you need the help, go for it. He would recommend NCNW to others and calls it the best organisation.

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If you are facing homelessness or housing insecurity, support is available.