Our Housing Manager Jacko is honoured with Spotlight Award from Healthwatch Middlesbrough to celebrate his dedication to the community.
I’ve been in and out of prison all my life. I’ve struggled with drink and drug addiction and homelessness. I was in a proper deep well for years and I couldn’t get out. I tried rehab but I couldn’t 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’re no different from me. We all come from the same place,” and that’s 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’d been there. Now, anything I can do to help others in that situation, I will. It’s 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 couldn’t believe it, and you’d 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 hasn’t eaten in days get to a food bank. Sometimes it’s as simple as providing a SIM card or a pair of socks. But often I’ll spend my time supporting those struggling with addiction issues, like mine.
A lot of the drop-in lads and lasses I’ve known in my past, they’ve seen me change and grow. Lads, like Darren, I know I have made a difference to, helped him get off drugs, get back on his feet – he’s got a job now and a car, I couldn’t be prouder. I’ll 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’m 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’re homeless people tell you something, but you can’t believe them because it never comes true, so you learn not to trust. That’s what’s different about Depaul and that’s why I love working here. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. If I tell someone I am going to help them, I’ll not let them down. They know what I say is what I’ll do. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night.
Honestly, my heart beats with homelessness and I do this job because I love it, it’s a passion, it’s not about being rewarded. But to come from where I have come from to get something like this award, it’s nice.
You know, I’ve never really been able to look at myself in the mirror before and go “you’re doing all right Jacko” – like I did when I got the award. So, I’m grateful.
But honestly, it’s a team effort. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the help and support of Nana, Sarah and Nicky. We’re a proper close-knit team and help each other out. So yeah, I am grateful and I’m 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.