Oxford student 

One of our service users recently out of prison went from 'street homelessness' to become a student at a college in Oxford where he studied sociology.

He is now working in an Oxford Day Centre bringing to them his life experiences and professional skills.

Computer engineer 

Another of our service users, recently over from Ireland came to the Clock Tower Sanctuary and was signposted to the Council who initially housed him in bed and breakfast accommodation and then in permanent housing. He has now obtained a grant to study on a two year computer engineering course.

Permanent accommodation 

A local pavement artist who was in insecure housing came to the Clock Tower Sanctuary needing money for a deposit to secure the flat he had taken over from a friend.
One of our trained volunteers accompanied him to Social Services where he was able to obtain a grant to secure the flat.
He designed the logo for the Clock Tower Sanctuary.

Jane 

Having first accessed the day centre in January of 2004,  Jane who is now 21 years old was living in a YMCA and was on probation whilst still committing petty crime.

After consistently using the centre on a daily basis she developed a therapeutic relationship with the volunteers who provided her with enough support to enable her to learn to trust others and look at her behaviour, her family relationships and what she wants from her life.

Jane has as of July 2005 managed to complete her probation order without re-offending and secured, for the first time in her life, independent accomodation. This has been a difficult process for her as she had to endure living as one of the "Hidden Homeless", within the enforced boundaries of supported accomodation for two years.

Simon 

A long term service user Simon 25yrs old who was adopted as a young child but who's relationship with his adoptive family broke down when he was a teenager, had been street homeless for the first four years of using the day centre from 1998.

After years support and encouragement from the staff he managed to find the confidence to finally enagage with housing service providers and secured  independent accomodation for himself in the autumn of 2004.

In June of 2005 Simon also gained employment. He maintains contact with us as we have been very much a consistent part of his support network.

Mary 

Mary,21 yrs old, first presented at the centre in January of 2004 homeless, on methadone, having escaped an abusive partner.

Using the centre daily enabled her to build up a relationship with the volunteers and they were able to signpost her to housing and substance misuse service workers who operate drop -in surgeries at the centre.

In October 2004 Mary secured her own flat and successfully completed her de tox. She stills visits the centre every couple of months, but no longer needs the daily support from us and is doing very well.