Andy’s Story

Andy had been rough sleeping for six months. Thanks to LandAid funding, he is now off the streets, has a job and feels a sense of relief knowing he’s not alone.

Date published

07/01/26

LandAid’s partner charity New Horizon Youth Centre recently received a LandAid grant. This funding has allowed our partner to make huge steps towards our mission of ending youth homelessness.

When their Rough Sleeping team met Andy, he had been rough sleeping for six months.

Thanks to LandAid’s funding and New Horizon’s warmth and immediate support, Andy got a new chance at life.

Andy's life before New Horizon

“I was rough sleeping in the streets and it was pretty bad because I didn’t have any help, and yeah, I was on my own… I was working in construction but since the pandemic there has been a crisis in the building industry. Everyone was going down, and I lost my job… A lot of people lost their job in that time. So afterwards, I lost myself, let’s say.”

– Andy

When the New Horizon Youth Centre Rough Sleeping Team met Andy, they offered him warmth and immediate support.

“They came to me, gave me clothing for the night and offered me dinner. Then, the next day, they were already working on my case. As soon as they discovered me the next day, they found me a place. They helped me a lot“. – Andy

Now off the streets, Andy feels a sense of relief knowing he’s not alone.

Andy reflected how he feels less stress knowing that someone is there to help. He has even shared how he has re-gained the confidence that he lost when living on the street.

When you are staying out in the street you don't have that kind of confidence, you don't even know if you are smelling. You lose ability to approach other people. But New Horizon are very helpful... you have the showers, and washing machines. Food every day, cooked food!

Andy

Andy is now living and working at a hostel in London, a safe place where he can plan his next steps.

He’s taken part in activities run by New Horizon’s Youth Work Team, made new friends, and discovered new interests.

One highlight for Andy was cooking along a visiting Michelin-star chef. The experience reignited his passion for food.

“I would like to go back to cooking. I have a degree in cooking, plus its my passion. I would like to go in a restaurant to be a chef.” – Andy

With help from the New Horizon Jobs, Education and Training Team, and thanks to LandAid funding Andy is now attending cookery school and doing a placement at a high-end restaurant, rebuilding his confidence, skills, and future one step at a time.

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