20 year old Jose came into contact with us when he was admitted to hospital for multiple knife wounds. We continued to support him after his discharge as he was homeless and experiencing mental health issues. Prone to outbursts, he was banned from many housing offices. It was clear to us that Jose was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his knife attack but also seemed to be experiencing flashbacks from something in his childhood.
Due immigration issues, Jose was unable to claim benefits and had been feeding himself by drug dealing. With the help of a solicitor, the caseworker started to unravel Jose’s past and forge a way forward. Jose had been trafficked into the UK as a child and so we took up his case with the Home Office and he was granted temporary leave to remain. As a result, we were able to obtain housing for Jose. This stability enabled him to move on from the chaos of drug dealing. With our help, he successfully applied for a legitimate job.
Our support for Jose continues as he has a lot of unresolved issues from his post. His meetings with his caseworker provide him with a safe space to talk about these whilst continuing to receive the help he needs to make positive progress.