John’s home life, like many young people who face homelessness, wasn’t easy. At just 16, and after years of abuse, he felt he had no choice but to leave.
“My family relationships weren’t the best, so home wasn’t the greatest place to be,” he explained carefully.
For a while, he was “sofa surfing” between different friends and relatives: “I’ve moved six times to different friends and family that have taken me,” he said. The instability left him vulnerable and uncertain about his future.
But through it all, John clung to one source of strength—Olympic weightlifting. “Training helped keep my head clear,” he says. “It gave me something to focus on, something to get stronger for—not just physically but mentally.”
Eventually, when it became clear to others around him what was happening, social services were alerted to his situation, and that’s when we were able to step in.
John arrived at one of our supported accommodation services in the North East – a group of 9 self-contained flats connected by a communal courtyard and with access to 24/7 wrap-around support from our on-site staff. That’s where he met Chris, his support worker.
“When he arrived, John was a very vulnerable 16-year-old,” Chris recalls. “He was worried about where his next night’s sleep would be, and did he have enough money in his pockets to get food?”
But Chris also saw something special: “He wasn’t angry at the world. He was realistic about his situation and wanted to make it better.”
Settling into a supported flat was a mix of excitement and nerves for John—it was his first time living alone. He began learning key life skills: managing bills, cooking, and keeping his space clean. Chris supported him every step of the way—from helping him build a flat-pack wardrobe to securing grants for essentials like gas and electricity.
That solid foundation helped John begin to thrive—not just in day-to-day life, but in his training too. “I could finally have proper meals, stick to a training schedule, and just focus,” he says. Chris adds: “Having stable accommodation—somewhere to sit down, call his own, and know he was staying seven nights a week—helped his confidence grow massively.”
Over two and a half years, John worked closely with Chris, building routines and developing his Wellness Recovery Action Plan to manage his emotions. Weekly check-ins offered not only practical support, but emotional connection. “He’s just been a great person to chat to, really,” says John.
As he reflects, John describes a complete shift in mindset:
“I’m way more mature now than when I first got here. I was a very, very shy person. Now I’m more confident. My approach to life has changed massively. I’m way more optimistic about things. I’ve been able to really stand on my own two feet.”
That newfound confidence has also fuelled his ambition. While training consistently throughout his stay, John has competed regionally in Olympic weightlifting, with big dreams on the horizon. “It’s a huge part of my life now,” he says. “And I’ve kept it going even through everything else.”
Now, John is preparing to move into his own flat in a coastal town near Newcastle. “It’s been a long time coming,” he laughs, “and I’m so excited to move on”.
He’s also about to start a new chapter in education, with plans to study Paramedic Science at university.
Chris couldn’t be prouder: “I’m over the moon for him. He’s got a real opportunity in a beautiful part of North Tyneside to make something for himself. He can achieve anything he puts his mind to.”